Illinois drought impacts continue into the fall
Drought re-intensified in Illinois at the end of the growing season, increasing the risk of fire and blowing dust as harvest approaches, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey. River levels have also dropped near or below low-stage, leading to navigation concerns. Most of Illinois was 1 to 8 inches wetter than normal between mid-July and mid-August, dramatically improving soil moisture, crop conditions, and stream flow. However, drier weather has dominated since mid-August, and […]