Abnormally dry conditions expand into central and north-central Illinois

The latest drought monitor was just released this morning from the National Drought Mitigation Center and shows an expansion of the abnormally dry conditions across central and north-central Illinois.  Across the state of Illinois this is a big change.  A little further west in the states of Iowa and Missouri moderate drought conditions have developed.

Rainfall the past week has been fairly sparse and the fact that we started the month of August with a deficit from July hasn't helped.  So far for the month of August we've received 1.33" of rain.  This puts us 0.78" below the monthly average.  During the month of July we received 1.92" of rain which was 2.03" below the monthly average!  The weather pattern for the next few days doesn't favor much rain with high pressure dominating the Great Lakes.  A shift in the jet stream pattern next week will bring the chance for rain possibly by next Wednesday at the earliest.