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April 2025 Climate Review:

Temperatures finished above normal by 2 to 3 degrees. As is common in April, readings fluctuated with brief cool spells followed by warmer periods through the first 16 days of the month. The chilliest days were on the 6th and 8th when high temperatures only reached the mid 40s to lower 50s. The coldest nights were observed on April 1, 7-9, and 12th when readings dipped into the low to mid 30s. Several locations observed a freeze on one of these nights across portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and parts of west Kentucky. A prolonged period of above normal temperatures were observed from the 17-25th. A brief cool down on the 26-27th was then followed by above normal temperatures to end the month. Several days reached the 80s including on the 2, 18, 20, 23-25, and 28-30th. Most locations experienced their warmest temperatures of the month on the 28th when it reached the mid to upper 80s.

Precipitation averaged much wetter than normal across the Quad State region. Most of the month’s rain fell during the first week, with widespread amounts of 6 to 12” observed from the 2nd through 6th along with localized amounts up to 16” in Kentucky. Monthly rainfall ranged from 8 to 12” across much of southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, and parts of west Kentucky near the Ohio River. A heavier swath of 12 to 17” was observed across the heart of west Kentucky with the highest amount being 17.43”at the Kentucky mesonet station in Marshall County (Benton 4 N). Most areas observed amounts that were 3 to 8” wetter than normal, but localized amounts in west Kentucky were as much as 12” above normal.  All 5 of the main climate sites in our region observed one of their top 10 wettest April’s on record, with Cape Girardeau checking in as the 3rd wettest. Flash flooding occurred across essentially the entire region at some point from April 3-5. Widespread moderate to major river flooding occurred, with many rivers cresting at their highest levels in at least 6 to 8 years. The Green River basin experienced it’s highest levels since 1950 at Calhoun, while the Ohio River at Evansville observed their highest crest since 1964.

A tornado outbreak occurred across our area on April 2nd, with 23 tornadoes touching down. This was the most tornadoes in a single event in our office history. Our office issued 191 combined warnings (Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, and Flash Flood). This was the 2nd most warnings in April since our office spun up in 1995 and the 5th most of any month.

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