2024 started a little warmer and wetter than normal in Illinois.
The USDA says the average statewide temperature was nearly 40 degrees, more than 9 above regular levels, while statewide rainfall was fractionally higher than usual.
That slightly better rainfall is welcome, with 28% of topsoil and 60% of subsoil short to very short of moisture, both above year ago levels.
55% of Illinois’ winter wheat crop is in good to excellent condition, with 34% called fair.
