Drought in Illinois

Jim Angel, state climatologist

What is Drought?

Drought is a complex physical and social phenomenon of widespread significance, and despite all the problems droughts have caused, drought has been difficult to define (see background and FAQ). In fact, the most straightforward way to identify a drought is by looking at the impacts such as crop losses, low water levels in lakes and streams, and water shortages, rather than specific definitions of shortfalls in precipitation.

Current Drought Status:

• Illinois - current conditions
• Illinois - latest soil moisture
• U.S. Drought Monitor
• U.S. and regional soil moisture models
• NWS Drought Forecast
• USGS Daily Streamflow Conditions
• U.S. Palmer Drought Index Map
• USDA Current Crop Conditions

Worst-case and Severe Drought Frequency

Worst-case Drought

Drought Frequency (return periods of 25, 50, 100, and 200 years)

• 12-month Drought
• 18-month Drought
• 24-month Drought
• 36-month Drought
• 48-month Drought
• 60-month Drought

Publications

• 2005 Drought in Illinois Ken Kunkel (editor), Illinois State Water Survey IEM 2006-3, 2006 (pdf).
• The Water Cycle and Water Budgets in Illinois: A Framework for Drought and Water-supply Planning by Derek Winstanley et al., Illinois State Water Survey IEM 2006-02 (pdf).
• Detecting Drought Conditions in Illinois by Stan Changnon, Illinois State Water Survey Circular 169, 1987 (pdf).
• The 1988-89 Drought in Illinois: Causes, Dimensions, and Impacts Edited by Peter Lamb, Illinois State Water Survey Research Report 121, 1992.

Links:

• National Drought Mitigation Center
• NOAA's Drought Information Center
• Seasonal Climate Outlooks for the U.S. - NOAA Climate Prediction Center
• Recent Conditions in the Midwest - Midwestern Regional Climate Center
• Dealing with the Drought - University of Illinois Extension