By RFD Radio
SPRINGFIELD – 2016 has been a warm year, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, and October may be the warmest month of all, compared to historic averages.
“We’ve only had one month that was slightly below average on temperatures and that was back in May all the over months have been above average,” Angel said.
This October is about seven degrees warmer than usual, which is tied with 1963 for the third warmest since records were kept in 1895.
“This trend toward warmer weather is not new. Angel said the trend over the years has been toward warmer weather, especially in the fall, winter and spring. Summer high temperatures have actually declined slightly as summer lows at night have risen. That trend is likely due to higher humidity,” said Angel.
Angel added the long term trend toward warmer, wetter weather may be due to global warming, or maybe a long-term climate trend that could reverse in the future.
“We are also getting wetter over time, that’s probably no surprise to anybody that across all four seasons we are seeing an increase in precipitation over the last century, especially in the last 30 to 40 years,” Angel said.
