Rare cold snap brought bitterly cold temperatures to Illinois in December
CHAMPAIGN — The extreme temperatures and wind chill values that Illinoisans experienced before the holidays are very unusual for late December, onl...
CHAMPAIGN — The extreme temperatures and wind chill values that Illinoisans experienced before the holidays are very unusual for late December, only occurring in northern and central Illinois once every 20 to 25 years, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford.The strong winter storm that moved across the Midwest brought arctic air to the region. Temperatures recorded in Illinois in the final two weeks of the month included 15 degrees below zero in Knox and Mercer counties, 12 degrees below zero in Lee and Cook counties, and 11 degrees below zero in McLean and Champaign counties.