Drought is a complex physical and social phenomenon of widespread significance, and despite all the problems droughts have caused, drought has been difficult to define (see What is Drought?). In fact, the most straightforward way to identify a drought is by looking at the impacts such as crop losses, low water levels in lakes and streams, and water shortages, rather than specific definitions of shortfalls in precipitation.
Current Drought Status
Current U.S. Drought Monitor map
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Current NLDAS2 Soil Moisture Percentile: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/Drought/Monitoring/smp_new.shtml#
USGS 7-day Average Streamflow
https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=il&id=real
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The 2012 Drought in Illinois
Illinois experienced one of the most severe droughts in recent decades in 2012.
- The 2012 Drought in Illinois (published in 2017 by the Illinois State Water Survey)
- The Drought of 2012 : A Report of the Governor’s Drought Response Task Force
More Links to Monitoring Products
Outside Links
- National Drought Mitigation Center
- Seasonal Climate Outlooks for the U.S. – NOAA Climate Prediction Center
- Recent Conditions in the Midwest – Midwestern Regional Climate Center