2014 Was Fourth-Coldest Year on Record in Illinois

Illinois has seen the fourth coldest year on record with an average statewide temperature of 49.9 degrees in 2014.

Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel says 2014 is tied with 1912 and 1972 with an annual temperature that's 2.9 degrees below average. The coldest year on record since 1895 was 1917 with an average temperature of 48.3 degrees.

Snowfall was especially sparse in the state throughout December 2014. The average statewide precipitation for the month was 1.9 inches, 0.8 inches below average.