March Was 10th Warmest on Record in Illinois

March proved the 10th warmest on record in Illinois as the average temperature, 46.5 degrees, was 5.2 degrees above average.

“We’ve had several months of above-average temperatures,” said Jim Angel, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey. “The pattern goes all the way back to September.”

But the mild trend so far this year doesn’t necessarily mean an early jump on planting for many farmers.

A recent stretch of cool, wet weather could keep many planters parked the first part of this month. Angel, who reported field ponding around the state, noted soil moisture in most fields last week was close to capacity.

“It’s pretty wet,” he said. Topsoil moisture in the state the first of last week measured 19 percent surplus, 77 percent adequate and 4 percent short.

Meanwhile, the early warm-up of soils tapered off as high topsoil temperatures were in the low- to mid-50s last week compared to low-60s in previous weeks. Corn and soybeans germinate better when soil temperatures consistently stay at or above 50 degrees, according to Ruth Beck, South Dakota State University agronomy field specialist.