Drought Information Statement for 
Central and Southeast Illinois
Valid February 26, 2026
Issued By: WFO Lincoln, IL
Contact Information: nws.lincoln@noaa.gov

The next update will be around Thursday, March 5, 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:
Recent Precipitation: Any significant precipitation in the last week was localized, with most areas seeing nearly dry conditions over the past week.
Worsening Dryness: Central Illinois continues to see worsening drought indicators such as declining soil moisture, lowering water table levels, and reduced streamflow.
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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 DeWitt, Macon, Piatt, Douglas, Moultrie, Coles, Edgar, Champaign, and Vermilion counties, and parts of McLean, Logan, Sangamon, Christian, and Clark counties.
D2 (Severe Drought): An expanding area that encompasses much of the area.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Parts of Knox, Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence Counties.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): None

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: 
None.

Drought Improved:
None.

No Change:
Entire area.

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

Recent Precipitation
Over the past seven days (right), localized precipitation exceeded normal with some brief heavy rain associated with thunderstorms. However, precipitation was mostly minimal to non-existent.

Looking at the last 30 days (left), most of the region was significantly drier than normal.
Last 7 days and 30 days
Image Caption: Total precipitation as a percentage of normal, as of February 25. Left image is a 30 day average, right image the last 7 days. Images from Drought.gov. 

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Streamflow is much below normal for most rivers in central parts of the state (less than 10 percent of normal). 
Record low flow on portions of the Sangamon, Kaskaskia, Middle-Fork Vermilion Rivers, and Salt Creek.
Lake Decatur is reported to be about 4.5 feet below normal. Lake Springfield is about 2 feet below normal.

Agricultural Impacts
No recent impacts reported in the past week. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
Burn bans have been implemented in DeWitt, Champaign, and Piatt Counties.

Other Impacts
Natural water sources and creeks have dried up, ponds are very low, and grazing stockpiles are quickly depleting. 
Soil moisture is low to record low, especially at deep levels. Water tables are near record low levels.
The town of Sullivan declared a water emergency on February 11th due to ongoing drought and a reduced water supply. Restrictions on non-essential water use are in effect until March 1st, and residents are urged to conserve water.

Mitigation Actions
Voluntary Stage 1 water rationing is in effect in Decatur.
Voluntary water conservation requested in Bloomington and Sullivan.

Long Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Above normal precipitation is favored (40-50% chance) for most of central and southeast IL for March. 

Above normal temperatures are favored (40% to 50% chance) across central IL for March.

Image Caption: Precipitation (left) and temperature (right) outlooks for March. 
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 improve across the area through the end of May.
Image Caption: 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook released Feb 19, valid through May 31, 2026. Images from Drought.gov.
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook