August rains provide limited drought relief      

[SEPT. 10, 2005]  CHAMPAIGN -- "Statewide, August rainfall in Illinois averaged 4.07 inches, 0.42 inches above normal; but rainfall since March averaged 15.72 inches, 7.11 inches below normal and Illinois' seventh-driest March-August since 1895," says Jim Angel state climatologist of the Illinois State Water Survey, a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "Despite rains in August, both northeastern and east-central Illinois are still short -- 0.9 inches below normal for the month."

While all of Illinois experienced a dry spring, southern Illinois received beneficial rains from the remains of three tropical storms: Arlene in June, Dennis in July and Katrina in August. As a result, rainfall this summer was 2 inches above normal in far southern Illinois. Statewide, June-August rainfall was 9.85 inches, which is 1.71 inches below normal. Northeastern Illinois, the driest region, had 7.94 inches, or 4.09 inches below normal.

Across the state, rainfall has been low since March 1. For example, Chicago O'Hare received only 10.2 inches versus its normal 21.5 inches; Rockford had 14.3 inches versus a normal 23.1 inches; Moline had 9.0 inches versus a normal 24.1 inches; Peoria had 9.3 inches versus a normal 21.6 inches; Quincy had 12.0 inches versus a normal 22.2 inches; Springfield had 12.2 inches versus a normal 21.3 inches; Champaign had 15.7 inches versus a normal 24.9 inches; Belleville had 15.1 inches versus a normal 22.4 inches; and Carbondale received 16.3 inches versus a normal 24.4 inches.

August temperatures averaged 75.3 degrees, 1.7 degrees above normal, and ranged from 101 degrees F at Lebanon on Aug. 13 to 47 degrees at Mount Carroll, in northwestern Illinois, on Aug. 23. Elizabeth had the highest one-day precipitation total: 3.16 inches on Aug. 19. Waltonville had the highest monthly total: 6.90 inches.

"While good rains this fall may alleviate drought conditions, there's also the possibility of a protracted drought such as occurred in 1988-1989. Check the ISWS special drought website for regular updates," says Angel. The Web address is http://www.sws.uiuc.edu/hilites/drought/.

[Illinois State Water Survey news release]