Hydrometeorological Characteristics of Severe Rainstorms in Illinois

This report provides a summary of available information on heavy rainstorms in Illinois obtained from analyses of data from various sources. These include climatological records of the National Weather Service, field surveys of severe rainstorms by the State Water Survey, and data collected from operation of several dense raingage networks in the state beginning in 1948. The major objective is to provide information useful in hydrologic design projects. Primary emphasis is placed on the frequency distribution of areal mean rainfall in severe rainstorms having durations of 6 to 48 hours and producing excessive amounts over areas of 25 to 10,000 square miles. However, information is also provided on other important storm factors, such as their shape, orientation, movement, and time distribution characteristics.publishedpeer reviewedOpe