Scientists: Soil temperatures at or near normal in Illinois

Scientists with the University of Illinois say soil temperatures across the state have been near normal on average so far this winter.
The Illinois State Water Survey at the university's Prairie Research Institute says soil temperatures at 4 inches under sod averaged 38.6 degrees from Nov. 1 to Feb. 15. The water survey says that's normal for the time period. Temperatures at 8 inches averaged 38.4 degrees or about 1 degree below normal.
The coolest temperatures have been in the northern tier of Illinois. But scientists say the largest differences from long-term averages have been in southern and east-central Illinois. Temperatures there are 2 to 3 degrees below normal for the season.