Drought in Illinois, July 1 to 31, 2012

The hot and dry conditions continued through July in Cass County. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first and third weeks of the month. Only 0.44 of rain was recorded at Virginia and 0.28 at Beardstown, making it the driest July on record at both locations. Due to the drought, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Cass County was upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

The hot and dry conditions continued into July across Clay County. Only 0.93 of rain was measured at Flora, resulting in the 7th driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred the first 10 days of the month, and the third week of the month. Streamflow on the Little Wabash River fell below the 10th percentile. A ban on open burning remained in effect, while crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Clay County was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Hot and dry conditions continued into July across Crawford County. Extreme heat occurred during the first 10 days of the month, and during the 3rd week, when temperatures rose to 100 degrees or higher. Robinson recorded their hottest July on record, and Palestine had their 2nd hottest July on record. Only 0.52 of rain was observed at Robinson during the month, making it the driest July on record. A ban on open burning continued, while crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Crawford County was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th and an Exceptional Drought on July 31st.

Hot and dry conditions continued into July across DeWitt County. Extreme heat occurred during the first week of the month, and during the 3rd week, when temperatures rose to 100 degrees or higher. The county averaged about 1.00 of rain during the month. The level of Clinton Lake dropped about one foot during July. A ban on open burning continued, while crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. DeWitt County was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Hot and dry conditions continued into July across Jasper County. Extreme heat occurred during the first 10 days of the month, and during the 3rd week, when temperatures rose to 100 degrees or higher. The flow along the Embarras River at Ste. Marie remained around the 10th percentile. A ban on open burning continued, while crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Jasper County was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Very hot and dry conditions continued into July across Lawrence County. Temperatures reached at least 100 degrees 11 times during the month. Only 0.92 of rain was measured in Lawrenceville, which was the 3rd driest July on record. The flow on the Embarras River at Lawrenceville dropped into the 5th percentile, which was the lowest flow on record. Burn bans remained in place, while crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. The county was upgraded to an Exceptional Drought on July 24th.

Hot and dry conditions continued into July across Logan County. Extreme heat occurred during the first week of the month, and during the 3rd week, when temperatures rose to 100 degrees or higher five times. The month was the 10th warmest July on record at Lincoln. Rainfall at Lincoln was only 1.37. The flow along the Lake Fork near Cornland was the 10th lowest in the past 65 years, and the lowest since the drought of 1988. As a result, mandatory water restrictions were established in Latham, voluntary water restrictions were put into place and the bulk water sale station was closed in Mt. Pulaski. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. The county was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Hot and dry conditions continued into July across Macon County. Extreme heat occurred during the first week of the month, and during the 3rd week, when temperatures rose to 100 degrees or higher seven times. The month was the 2nd warmest July on record at Decatur. Rainfall at Decatur was only 0.47. The flow along the Sangamon River near Decatur was the 8th lowest in the past 30 years, and the lowest since 1989. The level at Lake Decatur fell nearly two feet during July. As a result, mandatory water restrictions were put into place for Decatur and Mt. Zion. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. The county was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.20 of rain fell in Havana, making it the driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Mason County was upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 1.46 of rain fell in Normal, which was 2.49 below normal for the month of July. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. The flow along the Little Kickapoo Creek near Heyworth dropped to the 5th lowest on record. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. McLean County was upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.93 of rain fell near Petersburg, making it the 3rd driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. The flow along the Sangamon River at Petersburg was the 3rd lowest on record. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Menard County was upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Hot and dry conditions continued in Piatt County during the month of July. Average rainfall in the county for the month was only around 1.00. Extreme heat occurred the first week of the month, with temperatures at or above 100 degrees. The Sangamon River at Monticello was at zero flow for much of July, which was the lowest flow ever recorded at that site in 105 years. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans due to the hot and dry conditions. Piatt County was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Very hot and dry conditions continued into July across Richland County. Temperatures reached at least 100 degrees 13 times during the month. Only 1.62 of rain was measured near Olney. Burn bans remained in place, while crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. The county was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 1.00 to 1.25 of rain fell across Tazewell County during the month, which was the 9th driest July on record. The flow on the Mackinaw River at Green Valley improved slightly from June, but was only around the 20th percentile. Voluntary water restrictions in Groveland,and a countywide burn ban continued as a result. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred seven times during the month. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Tazewell County was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

An average of only 0.40 of rain fell across Woodford County during the month, which was among the top three driest Julys on record. The flow on the Mackinaw River at Congerville was only in the 3rd percentile. Voluntary water restrictions were established in El Paso. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred nine times during the month. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Woodford County was upgraded to an Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.61 of rain fell in Urbana, making it the 5th driest July on record. The flow along Boneyard Creek in Urbana dropped to the 12th lowest on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Champaign County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 10th, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.52 of rain fell in Morrisonville, making it the driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first and third weeks of the month. As a result of the continued hot and dry conditions, voluntary water restrictions were put into place in Taylorville. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Christian County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 10th, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.54 of rain fell in Casey, making it the 2nd driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Clark County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 3rd, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.08 of rain fell in Charleston, making it the driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. In addition, voluntary water restrictions were put into place for Mattoon. The flow along the Kaskaskia River at Cooks Mills dropped to the lowest on record. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Coles County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 10th, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Very hot and dry conditions developed across Cumberland County during the month of July. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Cumberland County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 3rd, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 1.30 of rain fell in Tuscola, making it the 13th driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. The flow along the Embarras River at Camargo dropped to the lowest on record. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Douglas County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 10th, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.02 of rain fell in Paris, making it the 2nd driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Edgar County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 10th, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Very hot and dry conditions developed across Effingham County during the month of July. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Effingham County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 3rd, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.18 of rain fell near Avon, making it the driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. The flow along the Spoon River at Seville dropped into the 13th percentile. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Fulton County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 17th, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.85 of rain fell in Galesburg, making it the 3rd driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Knox County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 17th.

Only 2.00 of rain fell in Lacon, making it the 10th driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. The flow along the Illinois River at Henry dropped to the 8th lowest on record. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Marshall County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 17th.

Only 0.50 of rain fell near Jacksonville, making it the 2nd driest July on record. Mandatory water restrictions were established in Jacksonville as a result. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. As a result of the hot and dry conditions, local officials instituted a ban on open burning. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Morgan County was designated as a Severe Drought area on July 10th, and upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 1.30 of rain fell in Sullivan and Lovington, making it the 2nd driest July on record in Moultrie County. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Moultrie County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 3rd, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Severe Drought by mid-July. Extreme heat the first week of the month, with 7 days at or above 100 at Peoria for the month. Peoria had the third warmest July on record. Only 1.35 of rainfall at Peoria. Dredging was necessary on the Illinois River south of the Peoria Lock & Dam to keep the channel clear for barge traffic, due to low river levels.

Extreme heat the first week of the month with 4 days above 100. A total of 9 days at or above 100 in July. Only 0.34 of rain for the month. Fourth warmest July and third driest July on record in Springfield. Numerous grassland wildfires were reported the last week of the month, prompting burn bans in the county. Flow on the Sangamon River at Riverton was in the 10th to 20th percentile. Lake Springfield levels fell 1.63 ft during the month, prompting water conservation measures for the city of Springfield. Mandatory water restrictions were also established in Williamsville and Sherman.

Only 0.94 of rain fell in Rushville, making it the 11th driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred five times during the month. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Schuyler County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 3rd, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.99 of rain fell in Winchester, making it the 3rd driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred nine times during the month. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Scott County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 3rd, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Only 0.19 of rain fell in Windsor and 0.42 was reported in Shelbyville, making it the driest July on record for Shelby County. Voluntary water restrictions were established in Shelbyville as a result. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred eight times during the month. The heat and dryness caused the level of Lake Shelbyville to fall 0.6 of a foot during July. Due to the extremely dry and hot conditions, a ban on opening burning was instituted by local officials. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Shelby County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 3rd, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.

Hot and dry conditions prevailed much of July in Stark County. Between mid-June and mid-July, only 0.50 of rain was reported near Bradford. Temperatures reached 100 degrees or hotter four times during the month. As a result, a Severe Drought was designated for Stark County on July 17th.

Only 0.26 of rain fell in Danville, making it the driest July on record. Extreme heat in excess of 100 degrees occurred during the first week of the month. Due to the hot and dry conditions, a ban on open burning was instituted by local officials. The flow along the Middle Fork of the Vermilion River near Oakwood dropped to the lowest on record. Crop stress was extreme for corn and soybeans. Vermilion County was classified in a Severe Drought on July 10th, then upgraded to Extreme Drought on July 24th.