The latest drought monitor from the National Drought Mitigation Center shows drought conditions have expanded across Illinois, with abnormally dry conditions now being reported in northern Illinois and far southern Wisconsin.
The lack of rain over the last few weeks has begun to take its toll on soil moisture across the region, with significantly dry conditions found downstate. This is where moderate and severe drought conditions have developed over the last couple of weeks.
For the month of September only 0.30 inches of rain have fallen, which is two inches below our month-to-date average. While this doesn't fall within the top five, or even top 10, driest month-to-date on records, it does fall within the top 20. Last year, 2024, up to this date only recorded a 'trace' of precipitation.
There is a little bit of good news heading into the weekend as a series of low-pressure systems pass through the Midwest. The first of these is expected to arrive Friday which give us a chance for a few showers and thunderstorms, with that threat continuing on a scattered basis through the weekend. An increase in moisture will allow any shower/storm to produce some heavier downpours, which will be some much-needed rainfall, but it won't be widespread or a soaking rain which is what our soil needs to replenish some of the moisture it has lost over the last month.
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