While some rain is better than no rain, we will need more consistent wetter conditions soon to avoid worsening impacts. However, less accumulation is forecast for central and northern Illinois, with totals mostly less than half an inch. The most recent 7-day precipitation forecast from the National Weather Service shows more rain for the southern half of the state, with widespread chances of 1 to 1.5 inches in the next week (Figure 3). Drought Monitor map current as of June 13. Louis Metro east area, while southern Illinois remains abnormally dry. Most of the state north of Interstate 70 is in abnormal drought, as is much of the St. The US Drought Monitor on June 13 th shows severe drought (D2) in northeastern and central Illinois, including most of the Chicagoland area and all of Peoria (Figure 2). Pasture conditions have declined to a larger extent than row crops, and there are some concerns about hay yield and quality moving forward. However, the overall feeling is that yield potential has not been significantly affected at this point. Crop reports indicate corn and soybeans in parts of southwestern, central, and northeastern Illinois are showing some stress, including rolling corn leaves and slowed growth. Streamflow in much of the state is well below normal and is near the record low at a few places on the Illinois River, including Henry and Valley City. Reports across the state indicate lawns are browning or going dormant, gardens, shrubs, and small trees require frequent watering, and mature trees are beginning to show stress. (Bottom) plot shows total precipitation across Illinois from April 1 to June 10, between 19.Ī wetter winter and lack of extreme heat so far this summer have both helped limit drought impacts so far. (Top) maps show precipitation total and percent of normal over the past 30 days. In fact, the period between April 1 st and June 10 th was the second driest on record statewide, wetter only than 1988. The northern half of the state has largely seen less than 50 percent of normal rainfall since April 1 st, and parts of the Chicagoland area have had less than 25 percent over that period. The maps in Figure 1 show most of Illinois has had less than 2 inches of rain over the past 30 days. While some parts of Illinois have received beneficial rain in the past week, totals have mainly been less than 1 inch, not enough to improve conditions. Dry conditions have persisted through May and into the first two weeks of June.
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