CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois climate experts say the state had a rare phenomenon this year: April's weather was cooler than March.

State climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey says the statewide average temperature in April was 54.1 degree. That's nearly a degree cooler than the record-breaking March average temperature of 55 degrees. Angel says the April average temperature was still 2.4 degrees higher than normal. March's average was 13.8 degrees higher than normal.

Records show that since 1895 there was only one year that had April cooler than March. That was in 1907. Weather experts say April is usually 11 degrees warmer than March.

Statewide average precipitation during April was 3.32 inches, about a half inch below normal.