October rainfall helps recharge dry soil in Ill.

Illinois’ state climatologist says late-October rains helped restore soil moisture after three exceptionally dry months.

Climatologist Jim Angel says a near-normal 3.2 inches of precipitation fell in October, most of it in the last few days of the month.

Angel says the rains were heavy and widespread enough to help recharge soil that had been dried out in the previous three months. The long-term average rainfall for October is 3.26 inches.

Angel says precipitation was heaviest in Cook, Will, and Kankakee counties and in some areas of far southern Illinois. The largest amount was in Bourbonnais, which saw 6.79 inches of precipitation.

What’s more, many areas of northern and central Illinois saw snow in October, with the most — 3.5 inches — reported in Mendota.