What type of climate does Illinois have?
The climate of Illinois has five unique features:
- Four distinct seasons, each with different conditions.
- Major north-south temperature contrasts.
- An extremely wide variety of types and amounts of precipitation with moderate variations between monthly and seasonal average values.
- Extreme variability of weather conditions in different parts of the state and, certainly, between years.
What climate regions are found in Illinois?
What state has the best weather all year round?
- California. You can't beat the south and central California coast for pleasant temperatures year round.
- Hawaii.
- Texas.
- Arizona.
- Florida.
- Georgia.
- South Carolina.
- Delaware.
What is the average weather in Illinois?
The average high temperatures reach up to 88°F (31.1°C), with the highest temperatures in central and southern Illinois. The northern regions have relatively mild temperatures by a few degrees and comfortable nights. Moline in the north registers temperatures in the 63°F (17.2°C) to 84°F (28.9°C) range.
What is the climate and weather of Illinois?
I llinois’ climate is typically continental with cold winters, warm summers, and frequent short fluctuations in temperature, humidity, cloudiness, and wind direction. Many consider the more moderate temperatures of spring and fall to be the most pleasant. Major businesses in Illinois are highly climate sensitive.
What zone number is Illinois?
Illinois is in the 5,6 & 7 USDA plant hardiness zones.
How do you know what climate zone you are in?
Climate zones are determined by the coldest average winter temperature the geographical area typically experiences. You can see the coldest temps and their zones here, further divided into A (colder half of the zone) and B (warmer half of the zone).Sep 20, 2016
What climate zone is Chicago?
Chicago falls into zone 5, with a low average temperature of -20°F to -10°F. More often than not, you will find a label on plants indicating that the plant is “hardy up to zone x.” Additionally, websites often categorize plants by zone.Jul 7, 2016
Where is Zone 7 in the United States?
USDA Zone 7 The zone includes Long Island, coastal New Jersey, eastern Maryland, most of Virginia and North Carolina, western South Carolina, southern Tennessee, the northern halves of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi and much of Arkansas.
What are the influences on Illinois climate?
Topography, urban areas , and Lake Michigan are the three local influences with effects on Illinois climate. The Shawnee Hills extend across southern Illinois and have elevations 500 to 900 feet higher than the surrounding terrain.
How long is the growing season in Illinois?
The average length of the frost-free growing season in Illinois ranges from 160 days (north) to more than 190 days (south).
What are the characteristics of Illinois?
The climate of Illinois has five unique features: 1 Four distinct seasons, each with different conditions. 2 Major north-south temperature contrasts. 3 An extremely wide variety of types and amounts of precipitation with moderate variations between monthly and seasonal average values. 4 Extreme variability of weather conditions in different parts of the state and, certainly, between years. 5 A large number of storms during all seasons.
How does climate affect health?
Climate conditions have effects on human health and safety. Temperature extremes and storms are responsible for deaths and health problems. Each year, 20 to 30 deaths in Illinois are attributed to floods, winter storms, tornadoes, and lightning.
How many days does Illinois have?
Illinois averages 10 days at or above 90°F (north) compared to just over 40 days (south). Days at or above 100°F are quite rare, occurring about every other year (north) and 2 days annually (south). Illinois averages 140 days at or below 32°F (north) but only 80 such days (south).
What are the effects of Lake Michigan on Chicago?
Urban areas also enhance summertime precipitation downwind of the city and cause changes in humidity, cloudiness, wind speeds and directions. Lake Michigan influences the climate of northeastern Illinois, especially Chicago.
What is the most damaging weather hazard in Illinois?
Flooding is the single most damaging weather hazard in Illinois. Ever-increasing heavy precipitation since the 1940s has led to increased flood peaks on Illinois rivers. Flood losses in Illinois, $257 million annually since 1983, are the third highest in the nation.
Climatic Controls
The Climate of Illinois describes the weather conditions, and extremes, noted within the state of Illinois, United States, over time.
Because of its nearly 400-mile (640 km) length and mid-continental location, Illinois has a widely varying climate. Most of Illinois has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with hot, humid summers and cool to cold winters. The southernmost part of the state, fro…
Temperature
Precipitation
Severe Weather
Summary
- Five factors control the continental climate of Illinois: 1) the sun, 2) weather systems, 3) topography, 4) urban areas, and 5) Lake Michigan. Two major controls are latitude (reflecting the amount of solar input) and weather systems (air masses and cyclonic storms). The effects of topography, Lake Michigan, and urban areas are of lesser significan...