Drought Information Statement for 
Central and Southeast Illinois
Valid January 1, 2026
Issued By: WFO Lincoln, IL
Contact Information: nws.lincoln@noaa.gov

The next update will be around Thursday, January 8th, if conditions persist or worsen.
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ilx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.
Key Messages:
Significant precipitation occurred across northern and north-central Illinois last weekend, prompting some improvement of drought conditions.  By contrast, another nearly dry week in southern Illinois has warranted some expansion.
Little or no precipitation is forecast over the next week, likely leading to status-quo through mid-January.
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U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought Intensity and Extent:
D4 (Exceptional Drought): N/A
D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of east-central Illinois including Piatt, Douglas, and Champaign Counties, and parts of Moultrie, Coles, Edgar, and Vermilion Counties.
D2 (Severe Drought): Most of east-central Illinois, extending but narrowing toward portions of west-central Illinois.
D1 (Moderate Drought): The vast majority of counties across central and southeast Illinois.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Small area in southeast Illinois near the Wabash River in Lawrence and southeast Crawford counties.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: 
Portions of southern Illinois

Drought Improved:
Portions of northern and central Illinois

No Change:
The majority of central Illinois remains unchanged


Image Caption: One week change in drought monitor categories. Image from Drought.gov. 

Recent Precipitation
Significant precipitation occurred over the last week (right) across portions of northern and central IL, where a slow-moving frontal system brought 1 to 3 inches of rainfall (200-300% of normal).

The past 30 days (left) generally had a mix of above and below normal precipitation, with the driest areas across southern IL.
Last 7 days and 30 days
Image Caption: Total precipitation as a percentage of normal, as of December 30th. Left image is a 30 day average, right image the last 7 days. Images from Drought.gov. 

Temperature
Average temperatures were slightly above normal during the month of November.

Averages for the last week of November were slightly below normal. December (not pictured) has also had a colder than normal start across central and southeast Illinois.
Image Caption: Average temperatures vs. normal, as of November 30th. Left image is a 30 day average, right image the last 7 days. Images from Drought.gov.

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Streamflow on most rivers is below normal, with many basins below the 25th percentile and several below the 10th percentile. 
Near record low flow on the east end of the Sangamon River basin is impacting water supplies of Lake Decatur downstream.

Agricultural Impacts
No recent impacts reported in the past week. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
None reported.

Other Impacts
Extremely poor to record low water table and deep soil moisture conditions.

Mitigation Actions
Voluntary Stage 1 water rationing is in effect in Decatur.


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Little or no precipitation is forecast to occur across central and southeast IL, likely maintaining the status-quo of current drought conditions.

Image Caption: Expected rainfall over the next 7 days, valid through 6 PM Thursday, January 8. Check weather.gov/ilx for updated forecasts.


Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought is forecast to persist across portions of central IL through March, although with improving conditions.

Elsewhere across central and southeast IL, drought is forecast to end.
Image Caption: 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook released Dec. 31, valid through March 31, 2026. Images from Drought.gov.