Temperature and precipitation data listed below were collected at the Monmouth weather station located a little more than 4 miles from the Northwestern Illinois Agricultural Research and Demonstration Center (NWIARDC), while soil temperature and moisture probes are located at the NWIARDC.

Air temperature. The monthly average high and low temperatures were just slightly (1 to 2 degrees) below the 30-year averages (Table).

JUNE 2014 WEATHER

Precipitation and soil moisture

When summarizing the May 2014 weather data, I mentioned how soil moisture levels were nearing the wilting point and how we really needed rain. June precipitation was 7.13 inches, 2.77 inches above the 30-year average (Table). This made 2014 tied for the 15th wettest June on record (1893-2014). June 2008, 2009 and 2010 were all wetter, with June 2010 the wettest June on record at 15.18 inches.

For a look at how much rain other areas of the Midwest got throughout June, visit this figure on the Illinois State Climatologist's Blog. Portions of the Northwest corner and Illinois River valley received over 9 inches of rain, while entire regions of Northwestern Iowa and Southern Minnesota receive more than 12 inches of rain in June!

Soil moisture at the NWIARDC, measured as water fraction by volume, is 0.29. To put this value in context, according to the Illinois State Water Survey the field capacity in this type of soil is 0.36 and the wilting point is 0.14.

2014 PRECIPITATION (in inches)