Where is the warmest location in Illinois? How are air quality and climate affected by Chicago and other urban areas? How does climate impact local economies?

The answers to these questions and in-depth, evidence-based information about Illinois climate are available in the Illinois State Water Survey (ISWS) Climate Atlas of Illinois, a 310-page publication that focuses on the 20^th Century and presents both spatial patterns and temporal distributions of climate conditions in the state.

Individual chapters address what controls our climate and historical climate periods; temperatures and precipitation, including snowfall; the statewide energy budget and wind conditions; special climate conditions caused by Lake Michigan, the southern hills, large cities, and human activities; atmospheric quality, including acid rain; climate extremes, such as droughts, cold winters, and various kinds of storms; outstanding weather and climate events of the 20th Century; weather conditions and air masses; and climate issues, such as global warming and El Niño.

"Ten chapters of nearly 300 maps and graphs, and more than 80 photographs, many in color—in addition to an extensive bibliography, a glossary, and appendices of climatological data for 11 locations—should serve a diverse audience," says Author Stan Changnon, ISWS Chief Emeritus and adjunct professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The general public will find answers to questions about all aspects of climate, including records of the warmest and wettest Illinois locations, and how much snow their hometown annually receives. Others who will find the atlas useful are scientists and students interested in assessing the climate and its effects on people, places, the environment, and economic activities. Those involved in design/planning of weather-sensitive towers and buildings, crops, and activities also will find the atlas to be a valuable resource.

Changnon and ISWS co-authors Jim Angel, Ken Kunkel, and Jim Lehmann obtained information on all aspects of Illinois' climate through findings from special field projects, studies, and historical records that date back to 1947.

"More data and information are available about the climate of Illinois than any other area in the world, and much of the material is available nowhere else than in the Climate Atlas of Illinois," says Changnon.

The Climate Atlas of Illinois is available from the ISWS (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/docs/climateatlas/) for $20 plus $7 for shipping and handling if mailed. Credit card orders also will be accepted. For more information or to order a copy, call (217) 333-8888.

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Last Modified: May 02, 2008