Spring and May 2023 Climate Summaries

Overview & Graphics

The month of May was one of the driest on record for the city of Chicago having received less than one inch of rain for the entire month. The whole area saw less than normal precipitation while temperatures on average were warmer than normal.

CoCoRaHS Observer Monthly Precipitation Summary

Spring 2023 saw near normal to slightly above normal temperatures across the area. Precipitation for the season was below normal area-wide despite Rockford seeing one of the snowiest Springs on record.

CoCoRaHS Observer Seasonal Precipitation Summary

CoCoRaHS Observer Seasonal Snowfall Summary

Public Information Statement...CORRECTED
National Weather Service Chicago IL
1111 AM CDT Fri Jun 2 2023 /1211 PM EDT Fri Jun 2 2023/

...A Look Back at the Climate for Meteorological Spring (March,
April, May) 2023 for Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature for the spring season was
60.7 degrees, which is 1.9 degrees above normal. The average low
temperature was 41.3 degrees, which is 0.7 degrees above normal.
The average temperature for the season was 51.0 degrees, which is
1.3 degrees above normal. 6.53 inches of liquid precipitation
were recorded, which is 4.16 inches below normal. 2.3 inches of
snow were recorded, which is 4.5 inches below normal.

Records established or tied during the spring months:

March: None.

April: Record daily maximum temperature of 83 degrees on the 13th.

May:   Record daily maximum temperature of 87 tied on the 7th.
       4th driest May on record with 0.71 inches.


At Rockford, the average high temperature for the spring season was
60.9 degrees, which is 1.8 degrees above normal. The average low
temperature was 37.3 degrees, which is 1.4 degrees below normal.
The average temperature for the season was 49.1 degrees, which is
0.2 degrees above normal. 7.98 inches of liquid precipitation
were recorded, which is 2.35 inches below normal. 15.0 inches of
snow were recorded, which is 9.2 inches above normal.

Records established or tied during the spring months:

March: None.

April: Record daily maximum snowfall of 0.2 inches on the 22nd.
       Record daily minimum temperature of 25 degrees tied on
       the 26th.

May:   None.

The following top ten spring seasonal records were also
established for Rockford:

*Tied for 9th highest spring snowfall with 15.0 inches.

$$

Latest Seasonal Climate Report:   Chicago    |    Rockford

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
1112 AM CDT Thu Jun 1 2023 /1212 PM EDT Thu Jun 1 2023/

...A Look Back at the Climate for the Month of May 2023 for
Chicago and Rockford...

At Chicago, the average high temperature was 73.8 degrees, which
is 3.3 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
51.0 degrees, which is 0.4 degrees above normal. The average
temperature for the month was 62.4 degrees, which is 1.8 degrees
above normal. 0.71 inches of precipitation were recorded, which
is 3.78 inches below normal.

The following daily records were set for Chicago during the month
of May 2023:

* Record daily maximum temperature of 87 degrees tied on the 7th.


The following top ten monthly records were also established for
Chicago:

**4th driest May on record since 1871 with 0.71 inches.


At Rockford, the average high temperature was 75.2 degrees, which
is 4.0 degrees above normal. The average low temperature was
47.9 degrees, which is 1.6 degrees below normal. The average
temperature for the month was 61.5 degrees, which is 1.1 degrees
above normal. 2.00 inches of precipitation were recorded, which
is 2.18 inches below normal.

No records were set for Rockford during the month of May 2023.


$$

Latest Monthly Climate Report:   Chicago    |    Rockford

Events

• May 7, 2023: Severe storms produce damaging winds, large hail, landspouts, heavy rain, and blowing dust
• April 19-20, 2023: Two rounds of storms bring large hail and damaging winds to the region
• April 4-5, 2023: Multiple rounds of severe storms produce a swath of significant hail and locally severe winds
• March 31, 2023: Third largest tornado outbreak on record in the U.S. produces 22 tornadoes in the local area
• March 26, 2023: Strong to severe storms produce hail near and along the I-80 corridor
• March 25, 2023: Winter storm brings significant snow accumulations to northwest Illinois
• March 9-10, 2023: Winter storm produces up to over 9 inches of heavy wet snow in far northern Illinois
• March 3, 2023: Thundersnow brings quick accumulations and strong winds south of I-80

​NWS Chicago Science and Past Events Page