January was wet with extreme winter conditions in Illinois

Mild weather carried over from Dec. into Jan. in Illinois, when frigid temperatures and winter storms hit mid-month. Rain and snowfall in Jan. took a big bite out of drought in the state, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

January precipitation tied for the eighth wettest on record.

Following a series of winter storms, cold air moved into the state, with actual temperatures of negative 25 degrees in Altona and negative 19 degrees in Moline. Strong northerly and northwesterly winds added to the cold and pushed wind ch...