Parts of southern and eastern Illinois have struggled with dry conditions since July/August. Those conditions have expanded in recent weeks across more of Illinois. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor has slightly more than half the state in at least the “abnormally dry” category and 11 percent in “moderate drought”. Most of the impacts so far have been in agriculture and horticulture and not water supplies.
There is a strong La Niña occurring in the Pacific. Based on past events, Illinois is typically warmer and drier than normal during fall (September-November). By winter (December-February), the wetter than normal conditions typically appear in Illinois.
