Editing Franklin County, Illinois (section)

===Climate and weather===
{{climate chart
|[[Benton, Illinois]]
|21|39|2.90
|26|45|2.87
|36|56|4.18
|45|67|4.50
|54|76|4.59
|63|85|4.06
|68|90|3.19
|65|88|3.04
|58|81|2.89
|45|69|2.94
|37|56|4.47
|26|43|3.56
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web
  |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIL0098
  |title=Monthly Averages for Benton, Illinois
  |access-date=January 27, 2011
|publisher=The Weather Channel
}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in the county seat of Benton have ranged from a low of {{convert|21|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|90|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-22|°F}} was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of {{convert|104|°F}} was recorded in August 2007. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.87|in}} in February to {{convert|4.59|in}} in May.<ref name="weather"/>

On [[Tornado outbreak of April 20–22, 1912|April 21, 1912]], a [[tornado]] destroyed facilities at the Possum Ridge Mine.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wcihs.org/history/possum-ridge-mine-history/|title=Possum Ridge Mine History|last=Hubbs|first=Barbara Barr|website=Williamson County Illinois Historical Society|language=en-US|access-date=June 24, 2018}}</ref>

On March 18, 1925, Franklin County was among five southern Illinois counties affected by the infamous [[Tri-State Tornado]]. The storm cut across the southern edge of the county, hitting West Frankfort and destroying most of the northern side of town, causing significant damage to the town's mining facilities. Farther to the east, the village of Parrish was also struck, and was never rebuilt. The storm killed 192 people in Franklin County, injuring hundreds more and leaving scores of people homeless.