Illinois' state climatologist says December weather that brought flooding to parts of the state also made it the second-wettest December in recorded state history.
Climatologist Jim Angel said Monday that the statewide average precipitation for the month was 6.7 inches. That's 4 inches more than average but still well short of the 7.17 inches that fell in 1982. That was the wettest December in state history and occurred during an El Nino like this winter.
For the year the average precipitation was 48.49 inches. That's 8.53 more than average and the sixth-wettest year in state history.
Last month was also the warmest December on record for Illinois.
Angel said the statewide average temperature was 40.6 degrees. That is 10.7 degrees above the average.
