The U.S. Drought Monitor released the latest drought map, showing that the “severe” D2 drought has expanded across much of northern Illinois. Only an area in the northeast part of the state remains in moderate drought (first figure). The Climate Prediction Center also released their drought outlook today. They expect the drought in the central […]
Category: Drought
Higher Risk of Hot, Dry Conditions for August and Fall
The Climate Prediction Center delivered more bad news for Illinois today. Their outlook for August includes an increased chance of above-normal temperatures across Illinois and much of the U.S. It includes an increased chance of below-normal precipitation for all of Illinois and much of the Midwest. Their outlook for the 3-month period for August-October includes […]
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Higher Risk of Hot, Dry Conditions for August and Fall
The Climate Prediction Center delivered more bad news for Illinois today. Their outlook for August includes an increased chance of above-normal temperatures across Illinois and much of the U.S. It includes an increased chance of below-normal precipitation for all of Illinois and much of the Midwest. Their outlook for the 3-month period for August-October includes […]
Read More from Higher Risk of Hot, Dry Conditions for August and Fall
Comparison of 2012 to 1988 in Illinois
Precipitation The first figure shows the statewide precipitation departures by month for both 1988 (blue) and 2012 (red) in Illinois, using the 1981-2010 average as normal. There are several interesting features: the period from January to March was actually drier in 2012 than 1988; the 1988 drought started abruptly in April with dramatically less precipitation; […]