Colder than average February for Illinois

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — The average temperature for February in Illinois was slightly colder than average, after three months of above average temperatures.

That's why Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel is saying winter has finally arrived in Illinois.

The statewide average temperature for February was 29.3 degrees. That's 1.5 degrees below average. And the statewide precipitation was 2.7 inches — about a half-inch above average.

Snowfall for February ranged from less than an inch in southern Illinois to more than 20 inches in the far northeast corner of the state.

Angel says for the core winter months of December, January and February, the statewide temperature was 31.8 degrees. That's 2.8 degrees above average.