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

State Climatologist Office for Illinois

Averages and Records for Champaign-Urbana, Illinois

Dr. Jim Angel, State Climatologist

The table below provides the average monthly high and low temperatures, precipitation, and snowfall for Champaign-Urbana. Below the table are selected records set in Champaign-Urbana. The averages are based on the new 1981-2010 normal period. Here is a more detailed breakdown of the new 1981-2010 normals for Champaign-Urbana. Also I have examined the differences between the old and new normals.

The National Climatic Data Center has a more detailed description of the new normals.

Monthly Averages

Month Average High Average Low Average Precipitation Average Snowfall
January 32.9 16.7 2.05" 6.8"
February 37.7 20.2 2.13" 5.8"
March 49.9 30.0 2.86" 2.6"
April 62.8 41.1 3.68" 0.4"
May 73.4 51.6 4.89" 0.0"
June 82.5 61.9 4.34" 0.0"
July 85.0 64.9 4.70" 0.0"
August 83.7 63.1 3.93" 0.0"
September 78.2 54.2 3.13" 0.0"
October 65.2 42.6 3.26" 0.1"
November 50.6 32.0 3.68" 0.9"
December 36.7 21.2 2.73" 6.6"
Annual 61.7 41.7 41.38" 23.2"

The average date of the last spring frost is April 15.

The average date of the first fall frost is October 17.

The record high is 109 on July 14, 1954.

The record low is -25 on four(!) occasions: 9 Feb 1899, 13 Feb 1905, 19 Jan 1994, and 5 Jan 1999.

The maximum seasonal snowfall was 67.2 inches in the winter of 1977-78.

The minimum seasonal snowfall was 6.7 inches in the winter of 1953-54.

The average date of the first measurable snow (one-tenth of an inch or more) is November 23.

The average date of the first 1-inch snow (1 inch or more) is December 2.

The greatest depth of snow on the ground was 19 inches on February 8-10, 1982.

The greatest 24-hour snowfall was 15 inches on January 1-2, 1999.

Temperature and precipitation records go back to 1888 for Champaign-Urbana. Snowfall records go back to 1903.