Drought Information Statement for Central and Southeast Illinois Valid December 12, 2025 Issued By: WFO Lincoln, IL Contact Information: nws.lincoln@noaa.gov The next update will be Thursday, December 18th, 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: Drought largely persists across the region, with small areas of deterioration this past week. Little precipitation fell across the area the past week, although modest precipitation over the upcoming week may be enough to keep conditions from worsening. 1 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 central Illinois near and north of a Schuyler to Edgar County line. D1 (Moderate Drought): Most areas along and south of a Cass to Clark County line. Also including portions of Knox and Marshall Counties. 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: Western Vermilion County Drought Improved: None No Change: Most of central and southeastern Illinois Image Caption: One week change in drought monitor categories. Image from Drought.gov. Recent Precipitation Precipitation over the last week was minimal (prior to Dec 10). Much of central and southeast Illinois has seen below normal precipitation over the last month. Last 7 days and 30 days Image Caption: Total precipitation as a percentage of normal, as of December 10th. 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 Midwestern Regional Climate Center. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflow on most rivers is below normal, with most 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. Lake levels: Lake Decatur around 2.4 feet below seasonal normals, Lake Shelbyville about 2.3 feet below normal, Lake Springfield 1.0 feet below normal. Smaller lakes and ponds are low. Agricultural Impacts A business had to cancel wreath sales this year due to drought impacts on the evergreen crop. 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. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Most streamflows are below normal, however the most significant streamflow impacts are on portions of the Illinois and Sangamon Rivers. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid December 11, 2025. Agricultural Impacts Rapidly drying crops have led to ahead of schedule harvesting across the state. Image Caption: Left: 1-month Evaporative Demand Drought Index valid October 22, courtesy of NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory. Right: 7-day Evapotranspiration ending October 18, courtesy of Midwestern Regional Climate Center. Fire Hazard Impacts Field fire risk is a concern as farmers run hot equipment through dry fields. Image Caption: Left: Keetch-Byram Drought Index courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, valid September 30. Right: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for October, courtesy of the National Interagency Fire Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast A few disturbances will produce snow through Saturday, and rain is possible late next week. Precipitation over the next week is unlikely to significantly improve the drought conditions, but may be enough to keep conditions from deteriorating. Image Caption: Expected rainfall over the next 7 days, valid through 6 PM Thursday, Dec 18. Check weather.gov/ilx for updated forecasts. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Summarize conditions and impacts here Long Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage December is off to a much colder than normal start across central Illinois, although a period of above normal temperatures in the second half of the month is expected as well. There are approximately equal chances for above or below normal precipitation for the month of December. Image Caption: Precipitation (left) and temperature (right) outlooks for December. Check weather.gov/ilx for updated forecasts. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage While the drought is forecast to persist through the end of the year, trends are pointing toward improving conditions over the course of the winter season. Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook released Nov. 30, valid through February 28, 2026. Images from Drought.gov. Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook