Drought Information Statement for Central and Southeast Illinois Valid October 30, 2025 Issued By: WFO Lincoln, IL Contact Information: nws.lincoln@noaa.gov The next update will be Thursday, November 6th, if conditions persist or worsen. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ilx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Key Messages: Despite some light rain as of recent, drought has persisted and even worsened over the past week. Sprinkles possible on Friday, but otherwise a very dry forecast is expected for the next week. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent: D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of east-central Illinois over Piatt, De Witt, and Champaign counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Most of central Illinois near and north of I-72, except Vermilion county. Also including Douglas, Moultrie, Coles, and Edgar Counties D1 (Moderate Drought): Vermilion County, and most counties south of a Shelby county to Clark county line. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Small area in southeast Illinois near Wabash river in Lawrence and southeast Crawford counties as well as in a sliver of eastern Vermilion county. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of Woodford, Tazewell, and McLean Counties Portions of Douglas, Moultrie, Coles, and Edgar Counties Southwestern Christian County Western Knox County Drought Improved: N/A No Change: The rest of central and southeastern IL Recent Precipitation Below normal precipitation was observed over central and southeast Illinois in the past week since Oct 23rd. 30-day precip continues to run well below normal over central and southeast Illinois. Last 7 days and 30 days Image Caption: Total precipitation as a percentage of normal, as of October 28. Left image is a 30 day average, right image the last 7 days. Images from Drought.gov. Temperature Average temperatures have been running below normal in most areas since about August 24th Averages for September to date are running 6 to 10 degrees below normal Image Caption: Average temperatures vs. normal, as of September 8. Left image is a 30 day average, right image the last 7 days. Images from Midwestern Regional Climate Center. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Streamflow along the Illinois, Sangamon, Vermilion, Mackinaw, Little Wabash and Wabash Rivers is below normal, and some smaller creeks are near zero flow. Lake levels: Lake Decatur 2 feet below seasonal normals, Lake Shelbyville about 1.5 feet below, Lake Springfield slightly below normal in the past week. Smaller lakes and ponds are low. Agricultural Impacts N/A Fire Hazard Impacts Burn bans continue in a number of counties and local municipalities. There is a field fire risk as farmers run hot equipment through dry fields during harvest. Other Impacts Lawns are turning brown. Young trees and landscaping plants are stressed. Mitigation Actions None brought to attention Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Most streamflows are below normal, however the most significant streamflow impacts are on portions of the Illinois and Mackinaw Rivers. The Wabash River is also below normal streamflow. Southeastern IL streamflows are near normal. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid October 29, 2025. Agricultural Impacts Rapidly drying crops have led to ahead of schedule harvesting across the state. Image Caption: Left: 1-month Evaporative Demand Drought Index valid October 22, courtesy of NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory. Right: 7-day Evapotranspiration ending October 18, courtesy of Midwestern Regional Climate Center. Fire Hazard Impacts Field fire risk is a concern as farmers run hot equipment through dry fields. Image Caption: Left: Keetch-Byram Drought Index courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, valid September 30. Right: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for October, courtesy of the National Interagency Fire Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Rainfall over the next 7 days is forecast to be near zero or a trace of rain in localized spots. Image Caption: Expected rainfall over the next 7 days, valid through 7 PM Wednesday, Nov 6. Check weather.gov/ilx for updated forecasts. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Summarize conditions and impacts here Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The precipitation outlook for October has a 33-50% probability of below normal precipitation. The October temperature outlook is for a 60-70% chance of above normal temperatures. Monthly outlook (issued 18th of the month) Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage 1 Month Drought Outlook will be updated for November, October 31st. Visit CPC.gov for the updated image for November on Oct 31st. There are some signs of improvement of drought conditions in portions of central & eastern IL from November through January. Image Caption: (Right) Climate Prediction Center 1-Month Drought Outlook for October released Sep 30 and (Left) Seasonal Drought Outlook released Oct 16, valid through January 31, 2026 Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook