Drought Information Statement for Central and Southeast Illinois
Valid March 19, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service Lincoln, IL
Contact Information: nws.lincoln@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated around March 26, 2026 unless drought conditions improve significantly.  
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: Portions of central and southeastern IL saw heavy rain on Sunday. This rainfall had beneficial impacts on the ongoing drought.
Improvement! Recent precipitation resulted in improving drought conditions.
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U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): None

D3 (Extreme Drought): Southeastern McLean County, far northern Piatt, Champaign, and Vermilion Counties

D2 (Severe Drought): Most of central IL

D1 (Moderate Drought): Northwestern Knox County, Extending from Scott County to Clark County

D0: (Abnormally Dry): Most of the southeast 6 counties (Effingham, Jasper, Crawford, Clay, Richland, and Lawrence Counties)
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Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: none
 
No Change: Northern Schuyler, Mason, Tazewell, McLean, Piatt, Dewitt, Champaign, and Vermilion Counties and areas north. Southern Effingham, Jasper, and Crawford Counties and areas south.

Drought Improved: Remainder of central and southeast IL
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Precipitation
Over the past 30 days, precipitation has been above normal across the entire central and southeastern IL area. As much as 2-3+ times normal (200-300+%) was noted for much of the area near the I-72 corridor.

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Temperature
Summarize conditions/impacts here

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Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Streamflow is near normal for much of the area, though a few rivers are falling to below normal again in east-central IL where lower precipitation amounts were received from Sunday’s storms.
Lake Decatur is near to slightly above normal. Lake Springfield is about 1 foot below normal (as of 3/13).

Agricultural Impacts
No recent impacts.

Fire Hazard Impacts
No recent impacts.

Other Impacts
Deep soil moisture remains below normal around D3 Drought areas, but has otherwise recovered at most observing sites.

Mitigation Actions
Voluntary Stage 1 water rationing is ongoing in Decatur.
Voluntary water conservation requested in Bloomington.


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts


Image Caption: USGS average streamflow 
valid March 12, 2026
Streamflows have decreased, with some below normal again. Most are near normal. A few upstate (Chicago Metro) are still above normal.

Feb 26
March 6
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Agricultural Impacts
Summarize conditions/impacts here
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Fire Hazard Impacts
Field fire risk is a concern as farmers run hot equipment through dry fields.



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Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
At this time, we don’t have additional precipitation in the forecast through the next 7 days.
However, there is a 20% chance of an isolated storm in southeast IL Sunday evening (3/22) and a 30-40% chance of thunderstorms next Thursday, 3/26. Storms could generate localized pockets of over a half inch of rain.
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Rapid Onset Drought Outlook
Summarize conditions and impacts here

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Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Probabilities are leaning in the direction of above normal precipitation (40-50% chance) in the month of April. 

The month of April is also leaning slightly towards above normal temperatures (33-50% chance).

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Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought is projected to improve or end across much of the area through the end of June.

Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook 
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