February brought on bitter cold and heavy snowfall in Illinois Star Courier CHAMPAIGN — The cold season came on with a vengeance in February in Illinois, with the average temperature more than 11 degrees below normal, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. Snowfall ranged from 8 inches in southwest Illinois to over 30 inches in the northeast part of the state. The preliminary statewide average February temperature was 20.0 degrees, 11.1 degrees below the 1991–2020 average. The statewide average total February precipitation was 2.01 inches, 0.10 inches below average. Temperatures Most Illinoisans experienced at least 20 days of below normal temperatures in February, following fewer than 20 days with below normal temperatures in January and December combined.