In the Midwest during the Fall of 2011, precipitation was plentiful in the eastern Midwest but scarce in western parts of the region (meteorological fall is September through November), according to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center at the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS).

Fall precipitation in portions of Minnesota and western Iowa was 4 to 6 inches below normal. September through November precipitation totals from around Minnesota were 1.15 inches in Redwood Falls, 1.36 inches in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, 2.39 inches in Saint Cloud, and 3.21 inches in Duluth. In Iowa, Sioux City recorded just 0.59 inches and Sioux Rapids recorded 1.37 inches.

In Minneapolis-Saint Paul, fall precipitation (1.36 inches) was a negative departure of 5.92 inches from the 1981-2010 normal. The autumn of 2011 in the Twin Cities was the driest in the 141-year record, according to the Minnesota Climatology Working Group.

In Minnesota and northwest Iowa, the minimal fall precipitation intensified the existing abnormally dry conditions. As a result, this region saw the development of moderate to severe agricultural drought conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor over the past three months.

The dry conditions have created some negative impacts in Minnesota and northwest Iowa. Negative impacts include reduced crop yields, smaller soybeans, difficult tillage operations, and damage to farming equipment.

Fortunately, not all drought impacts in this region have been negative. A dry fall produced an ideal harvest for farmers, assisted in the drying of corn without utilizing grain dryers, and extended the outdoor construction and maintenance work seasons. In addition, the dry conditions this fall will reduce the probability for flooding next spring, which river communities are thankful for after three consecutive years of spring flooding.

In contrast, the eastern Midwest received ample precipitation this fall. Kentucky and parts of Ohio, Indiana, southern Illinois, and southeast Missouri received 15 to 20 inches of precipitation (Figure 2), which is 6 to 10 inches above normal fall precipitation. This abundant rainfall helped eliminate abnormally dry and drought conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor altogether across this region.

However, the unseasonably high precipitation in the eastern Midwest did not come without some negative consequences. Flooding was an issue on a few occasions in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana.

The statewide average temperature for December 2011 in Illinois was 35.7 degrees, 5.9 degrees above average. This ranked as the ninth warmest December on record with statewide records going back to 1895, according to the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The highest temperature for the month was 67 degrees at Cairo on December 5. The lowest temperature was 0 degrees at Monmouth on December 10.

The statewide average precipitation for December in Illinois was 3.43 inches, 0.74 inches above average or 127percent of average. The highest precipitation total for the month was Brookport Dam (along the Ohio River) with 7.70 inches.

Snowfall totals for December were much below average across the state. The highest snowfall total for the month was at Stockton (far northwestern corner of Illinois) with 4.0 inches. Snowfall totals were less than an inch in southeastern Illinois and 1 to 2 inches elsewhere in the state.

By mid-December last winter, much of Illinois had experienced 10 to 25 inches of snow.

The year 2011 was the 10th wettest year and a year of extreme monthly temperatures and precipitation, according to the Illinois State Water Survey.

The statewide average precipitation for 2011 in Illinois was 45.62 inches; 5.43 inches above the 1981-2010 average of 40.20 inches. It was also the wettest April, 8th wettest June, and 6th wettest November on record.

On the other hand, it was the 6th driest August and 21st driest October on record.

The statewide average temperature for 2011 in Illinois was 53.0 degrees; 0.8 degrees above the 1981-2010 average of 52.2 degrees. It was the 23rd warmest year on record. It was also the 4th warmest July, the 7th warmest November, and 8th warmest December on record. Yet it was the 17th coldest January and 10th coldest September since 1895.

Du Quoin came close to reaching the state record for annual precipitation when it reported 72.11 inches. The state record was 74.58 inches, set in New Burnside in 1950.

However, not everywhere was so wet in 2011. A few sites in central and western Illinois reported 30 inches or less of precipitation. These included Lake Springfield with 25.34 inches and Illinois City Dam #16 with 27.47 inches. One of the driest major cities was Springfield with 30.61 inches, reported at the airport.