Precipitation (inches) from Hurricane Dennis July 10-14, 2005 (Click to Enlarge Image)

The remnants of Hurricane Dennis moved into Illinois early in the week. As a result, light to moderate rain has fallen over virtually the entire state (see Figure). The heaviest rains fell in southwestern Illinois with amounts over three inches in some cases. Unfortunately, the area in “extreme” drought in northern Illinois, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, generally received 0.5 inches or less. With the exception of southwestern Illinois, the rains were not substantial enough to have a lasting impact on the drought situation. The precipitation deficits since March 1 still remain 7 to 9 inches below normal across the northern three-fourths of the state (see Table).

 

Additional Figures (July 14, 2005):

Precipitation Percent of Normal, March 1 to July 13, 2005

Precipitation Percent of Normal, March 1 to July 13, 2005

 

                                  Illinois

                         3/1/2005 to  7/13/2005

 

Climate          <------Temperature----->   <---------Precipitation--------->

Division         Actual   Normal      Dev   Actual   Normal     Dev   Percent

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Northwest          56.3     55.9      0.4     7.59    16.19    -8.61       47

Northeast          55.6     55.5      0.1     7.42    15.75    -8.33       47

West               58.9     58.7      0.2     9.81    16.70    -6.88       59

Central            58.3     58.1      0.2     7.61    16.30    -8.69       47

East               57.4     57.7     -0.4     9.16    16.45    -7.28       56

West-southwest     59.6     60.0     -0.3     8.72    16.61    -7.90       52

East-southeast     59.6     60.2     -0.6    10.67    17.63    -6.96       61

Southwest          61.0     61.7     -0.7    13.35    18.24    -4.89       73

Southeast          61.3     61.9     -0.6    13.96    19.27    -5.32       72

 

State              58.6     58.7     -0.2     9.59    16.93    -7.34       57

 

Dev means Deviation From Normal, Percent means Percent of Normal

 

Illinois Drought