Illinois State Water Survey - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

State Climatologist Office for Illinois

Climate Change - Benchmark Stations in Illinois

In a 1997 Water Survey study, sites were selected for their reliable, long-term records of temperature and precipitation in Illinois. These so-called benchmark sites were screened using a variety of statistical tests and a careful review of station histories.

Below are time series plots of annual temperature and precipitation at each site (updated through 2006). Minonk precipitation records contained too much missing data for plotting.

The original study is still in print and can be ordered here.


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The points on the Google map are for general reference only. They are not meant to indicate the exact location of the site.

Table 1. Annual Temperature and Precipitation Plots by Station.
Temperature Precipitation
Aledo Aledo temperature Aledo precipitation
Anna Anna temperature Anna precipitation
Carlinville Carlinville temperature Carlinville precipitation
Hoopeston Hoopeston temperature Hoopeston precipitation
Marengo Marengo temperature Marengo precipitation
McLeansboro Mcleansboro temperature Mcleansboro precipitation
Minonk Minonk temperature --
Mt. Carroll MtCarroll temperature MtCarroll precipitation
Rushville Rushville temperature Rushville precipitation
Sparta Sparta temperature Sparta precipitation
Walnut Walnut temperature Walnut precipitation
Windsor Windsor temperature Windsor precipitation