Nearly half of Illinois is currently in drought for the first time since July 2023.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, about a third of the Midwest is in at least moderate drought, with the most extreme drought conditions seen in southeastern Ohio.
The Chicago area is considered to be in “moderate drought” as the rainfall deficit has been accumulating for four to six weeks.
According to the National Weather Service, moderate drought can damage crops and pastures, increase fire risks, reduce stream, reservoir or well levels and possibly even lead to water restrictions in some cases.
So far this month, only 0.04″ of rain has fallen at O’Hare Airport. That would make September 2024 the second driest September on record.
The monthly rainfall deficit is 1.90 inches below average at O’Hare Airport, but only 1.75 inches below the year-to-date average.
Although the drought has worsened recently, the Chicago area saw plenty of rain in July and early August. Still, there has only been one day of rain of more than a half-inch in the last 50 days.
But there is good news in store.
It will rain during the night from Thursday to Friday, then again on Sunday and Monday.
The chance of showers and possibly a few thunderstorms shifts toward late Thursday and into Friday morning, with the best chance of rain northwest of Interstate 55. Another round of precipitation is possible Friday night east of I-55.
The best chances of showers and thunderstorms, however, will occur throughout Sunday and into the evening.
Overall, the rain is expected to at least slightly reduce the percentage of Illinois currently in moderate drought.
