April 2020 Climate Summary

Overview and Graphics

Temperatures averaged below normal by around 2 to 3 degrees. Paducah observed below normal temperatures on 20 of the final 22 days of the month, while Evansville registered 19 of the final 22 days below normal. The last subfreezing temperatures of the month occurred between April 15th and 18th across the region, which was around 1 to 2 weeks later than average. The warmest temperatures occurred on April 8th as highs soared into the mid 80s, breaking records at a few locations including Evansville and Cape Girardeau.

April was drier than normal across the vast majority of the region, which was a welcome change given the wet pattern we have been in much of the past 2+ years! Rainfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches in most locations, which was 1 to 2 inches below normal. A few locations closer to the Ohio River in southern Illinois and western Kentucky received less than 2 inches for the entire month. On the flip side, the wettest locations were along the periphery of our area including our far eastern counties of western Kentucky from Daviess south to Todd and also along the I-64 corridor of southern Illinois. Some of this area finished wetter than normal, with the highest observed amount of 6.26 inches occurring at the Mount Vernon, IL COOP.

April is typically near the peak of our severe weather season, but this year it was a rather quiet month. The only noteworthy event of the month occurred on April 8th, when several areas received large hail measuring 1.75 to 2.25 inches in diameter.

The graphic below is an interpolated rainfall map using actual observations. Please note that there are likely discrepancies in between observations, since the values are estimated based on nearest reports.

April 2020 Review: Precipitation and Temperature Maps (Click on image to enlarge)

Climate Maps are from the Northeast Regional Climate Center

Monthly Summary Listings of normals and records for Paducah, Evansville, and Cape Girardeau

Monthly Climate Report: Paducah | Evansville | Cape Girardeau

Records

Record Event Reports: Paducah | Evansville | Cape Girardeau

Events

April 8, 2020: Very large hail with 1.75" to 2.25" hailstones reported in portions of southeast MO and southwest IL.