Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford says much of Illinois is experiencing a small to moderate precipitation deficit as October marked the third straight month of drier than normal conditions statewide.

He says the dry spell began back in May for a large section of central Illinois reaching from Jacksonville up to Kankakee.

“In some places between Lincoln and Decatur that precipitation deficit is exceeding 9 to 10 inches. Here in Champaign and up towards the Chicagoland area it is more like 4 to 5 inches.”

Ford says the La Nina pattern indicates a good chance for elevated precipitation this winter and the central area especially could benefit from that to recharge soil moisture ahead of 2021 planting.

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