Drought Information Statement for Central and Southeast Illinois Valid December 9, 2023 Issued By: WFO Lincoln, IL Contact Information: nws.lincoln@noaa.gov This product will be updated by Dec. 15, 2023 unless conditions improve. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ilx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent: D2: (Severe Drought): Focused on southeast IL including most of Effingham, Jasper, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence Counties and portions of Crawford County. Portions of Schuyler County are included as well. D1 (Moderate Drought): Focused mainly over east central Illinois including Shelby, Coles, Edgar, Cumberland, Clark, and Crawford Counties and portions of nearby counties. Portions of Schuyler and Scott Counties are included as well. Light rainfall amounts have taken place December 8-9, however these are not expected to meaningfully lessen drought status. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Southeast IL Drought Improved: From Christian County to Vermilion County through Shelby, Moultrie, and Douglas Counties No Change: Most of central Illinois has seen conditions remain status quo. Precipitation Rainfall from Nov. 8 to Dec. 8 has been generally below normal, and far below normal in southeast and east central IL where 25-50% of normal precipitation fell. Last 30 days Temperature Summarize conditions/impacts here Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Low streamflows and slightly below normal reservoir levels Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Fire Hazard Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions None reported Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflows are below 25th percentile in southeast and east central IL, as well as west central IL. Lake Shelbyville has slightly below normal water level (0.87 foot below normal), while other large water sources such as Lake Springfield and Lake Decatur have slightly above normal water levels for this time of year. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid December 7, 2023. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture at the 20 cm level is below the 30th to 70th percentile in the drought areas of central and southeast IL Agricultural impacts are not significant at this time, as crops are harvested or dormant at this time of year Image Captions: Left: 1-week Evaporative Demand Drought Index valid November 25, 2023 Right: 7-day Evapotranspiration ending December 1, 2023 Fire Hazard Impacts Summarize conditions/impacts here Image Captions: Left: Keetch-Byram Drought Index courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, valid August 31, 2023 Right: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for August 2023 Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Rainfall is expected to be minimal during the upcoming 7 days, and will mainly be by Saturday December 9 Most Moderate and Severe Drought areas are likely to see less than a quarter inch of rain 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 Image Caption: Days 8 to 14 U.S. Hazards Outlook Valid Month DD to DD. Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Near normal precipitation with above normal temperatures are favored for December Monthly outlook (issued last day of month) Seasonal outlook (issued 3rd Thursday of month) Monthly outlook (issued 3rd Thursday of month) Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are likely to persist in east-central and southeast IL, as well as west-central IL this month Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Released November 30, 2023 valid for December 2023 Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook