Spring so far Illinois’ fourth warmest

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — State officials say this spring is so far the fourth warmest in recorded Illinois history.

State climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey said Friday that the statewide average temperature for March, April and May was 55.3 degrees. That’s more than 3 degrees higher than normal.

Statewide spring rainfall was 12 inches. That’s just below normal.

Angel says June so far has been warmer than normal, but it’s been wetter, too.

Monmouth in western Illinois, for instance, has reported nearly a foot of rain since Memorial Day. So much rain has fallen that the town’s aging sewer system is having trouble, and that’s led to sinkholes.