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Heavy
rains relieve drought
concerns in northern Illinois
[MAY 13, 2003]
"Widespread
rains across Illinois since April 28 and into early May, and heavier
amounts in northern Illinois, which needed it most, should alleviate
drought concerns,” says Jim Angel, state climatologist with the
Illinois State Water Survey, a
division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Northern
Illinois had been under drought conditions through the end of
April."
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"Soil moisture and
streams are now in much better shape at the start of the growing
season because portions of the northern third of Illinois received
in excess of 4 inches of rainfall in a band between Mercer and Cook
counties. Much of the rest of the state received between 2 and 4
inches during this 10-day period," says Angel.
Most of Illinois has
been short on precipitation since Sept. 1, 2002. Until these recent
rains, northern Illinois was 9-9.5 inches below average, central
Illinois was 7-9 inches below average, and southern Illinois was 3-6
inches below average. Only the southeastern corner of the state was
near average. Impacts were minimized because these shortfalls
occurred during the non-growing season, when demand is low. Recent
rains have not entirely eliminated the deficits, but they came just
in time to recharge soil moisture and streams.
Severe weather has
accompanied the heavy rains. There were numerous reports of hail and
wind damage, especially from storms on April 4, 24, 29-30 and May 1,
4 and 6-7. The tornado season officially began on April 4 with a
confirmed tornado in Logan County and unconfirmed tornado reports in
Mason, DeWitt and Clinton counties. These events yielded no injuries
or deaths and very little damage.
Northern Illinois
took the brunt of severe weather on April 30, when storms generated
widespread reports of wind and hail damage. There were also several
reports of tornadoes in Mercer, Henry and Bureau counties, but no
injuries or deaths resulted. National Weather Service personnel
confirmed the Mercer County tornadoes.
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A tornado reported in
southern Illinois on May 6 resulted in at least two deaths and 20
injuries. Illinois averages one or two deaths from tornadoes
annually, but that number fluctuates from year to year. For example,
there were no tornado-related deaths in 2000 and 2001 but four such
deaths in 2002.
"April was the 31st
warmest April since 1895, with a statewide average temperature of
53.3 degrees, 1.1 degrees above average. Precipitation during April
was below average, with a statewide total of 3.32 inches, 0.48
inches below average (87 percent of average). However, this was
better than the 63 percent of average in March and the 67 percent of
average in September-March," says Angel.
April temperatures
ranged from a low of 12 degrees at Streamwood on April 5 to a high
of 89 degrees at Moline, Monmouth and Stelle on April 15.
"According to the NWS, the pattern for
Illinois appears to be wet ... [for May 7-21]. If these rains
develop, they should eliminate any lingering concerns about
drought," says Angel.
[Illinois
State Water Survey press release] |
