Cooler, wetter September eased drought conditions

State Climatologist Jim Angel says the cooler temperatures and heavier than normal rainfall helped ease drought conditions in most of the state.

Statewide, the average precipitation was 4.9 inches, which is 1.7 inches higher than normal.

Much of that rainfall came over Labor Day weekend, when the remains of Hurricane Isaac passed over Illinois. Additional rains later in the month brought monthly totals of up to 1 foot or more to areas south of Interstate 80.

The statewide average temperature was 64.6 degrees, 1.6 degrees cooler than normal.

Despite the change, 82 percent of Illinois remained in some stage of drought at the end of September.