Climate

  (Don't miss the narrative below the graphics.)

Southwestern Illinois enjoys a moderate, if changeable climate, with four distinct seasons.  Summers are warm, but not unbearably hot, with temperatures averaging 85, 89 and 87 for June, July and August.  Winters are brisk without prolonged bitter cold, with temperatures of 32 or lower occurring less than 25 days per year. 

We seem to be along the line where northern arctic air masses meet warmer moisture-laden movements from the Gulf of Mexico.  Depending on the exact location of this "frontal line", the weather is therefore subject to frequent changes, but never severe for prolonged periods.  Snowfall averages about 18 inches per year ... rainfall about 36.6 inches. (1993 was unusual, with over 55 inches adding to flood problems along the Mississippi, but never, ever in the bluffs of our "territory".)

Spring and autumn are delightful, having moderate temperature and a minimum of rainfall.  Spring flowers abound in yards and gardens, and dogwood and redbud in woods.  Fall leaf-shows of hard maple, oaks, hickories, sassafras and sumac are spectacular.

We're in the Central time Zone at Latitude 38 degrees, 45 Minutes North, and Longitude 90 degrees, 23 minutes West.  The elevation of most of St. Louis is under 500 feet. (The crest of the bluffs in Illinois is almost 600 feet above sea level.)  The 90th Meridian goes through Glen Carbon/Edwardsville.