Illinois, 2026Drought in Illinois, February 1 to 28, 2026
February 1 to 28, 2026 · NWS ILX · 34 events in 34 counties and zones
A drier than normal winter concluded with one of the driest Februarys on record across central and southeast Illinois. 08 inches of rainfall occurred during the month.
Every event with a place to put it; 34 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
Open the live radar over this ground
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Property damage
- None recorded
- Crop damage
- None recorded
- Events
- 34
Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.
A drier than normal winter concluded with one of the driest Februarys on record across central and southeast Illinois. In Lincoln, only 0.08 inches of rainfall occurred during the month. Dating back to September 2025, precipitation deficits of 6 to 10 inches were common across the region. Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought conditions worsened during February 2026, with a notable uptick in reported impacts and community restrictions (such as water rationing and burn bans). Streamflows, water levels, and soil moisture content ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Lincoln, IL wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 31, 10:34 PM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- One more night of very cold conditions is expected tonight as lows fall to near zero and wind chills have potential to drop to around 10 below zero, then temperatures will slowly moderate the next few days. Temperatures should be only slightly below normal much of the upcoming work week.
- There is a 30-60% chance of light snow on Sunday north of I-70. Snow accumulations are unlikely to exceed one inch, but the light snow may still result in slick road surfaces.
- Another system could bring wintry precipitation to the region on Tuesday, mainly south of I-72 where there is a 30 percent chance of snow.
Area forecast discussion, Jan 31, 10:34 PM CST, 1 hour 26 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion...Updated Aviation
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1034 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
.KEY MESSAGES...
- One more night of very cold conditions is expected tonight as
lows fall to near zero and wind chills have potential to drop to
around 10 below zero, then temperatures will slowly moderate the
next few days. Temperatures should be only slightly below normal
much of the upcoming work week.
- There is a 30-60% chance of light snow on Sunday north of I-70.
Snow accumulations are unlikely to exceed one inch, but the
light snow may still result in slick road surfaces.
- Another system could bring wintry precipitation to the region on
Tuesday, mainly south of I-72 where there is a 30 percent chance
of snow.
&&
.UPDATE...
Issued at 727 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
Much of the light snow/flurry activity along the Indiana border
has ended, though Evansville radar imagery continues to show a bit
of activity along the Wabash River. Nighttime microphysics
satellite continues to show a stream of cloudiness extending down
from Lake Michigan into southeast Illinois, with some more
scattered clouds as far west as I-55. HREF 925 mb humidity plots
keep this plume of moisture most of the night, finally waning some
closer to daybreak. With areas east of I-57 remaining mostly
cloudy, that area should be kept somewhat warmer overnight, with
lows around 5 degrees near the Indiana border. Elsewhere, mostly
clear skies under the ridge axis should allow low temperatures
near zero centered along I-55.
Geelhart
&&
.DISCUSSION...
Issued at 239 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
Low level north-northeasterly flow at 925-700 mb continues to bring
cloudiness and scattered flurries to east-central IL this afternoon,
but satellite imagery depicts the band showing subtle signs of
shifting eastward over Lake Michigan, which along with ridging
building into the area from the west, should diminish this activity
from west to east late this afternoon and evening, however will need
to keep monitoring into the evening.
The aforementioned high pressure should bring mostly clear skies, at
least for a portion of tonight, along with winds diminishing to
light and variable. Resulting lows should approach zero, especially
in the most-central parts of IL, but with light winds, wind chills
won't be pronounced, likely near zero to as low as 10 below.
The upper level trough currently producing snow from the central
into northern Plains will arrive during the day on Sunday. Models
depict precipitation amounts becoming lighter as it arrives in
central IL, however with a high likelihood of a hundredth or two of
precipitation. Precipitation type is depicted as snow, however model
soundings show depth of saturation struggling at times to be high
enough to reach the dendritic growth zone. As a result, it wouldn't
be impossible to see some freezing drizzle. Nevertheless, likelihood
of reaching an inch are quite low, under 20 percent, and a minimal
dusting to half inch is more likely. Snow looks to to arrive west of
the IL River early in the afternoon, and reach the I-57 corridor by
late afternoon. Snow should end overnight. South of I-70, have only
incorporated a slight chance/20 percent.
Temperatures will moderate next week, with arctic air remaining to
the north and more of a Pacific origin impacting central IL. Highs
should reach the mid 20s Sunday, lower 30s Monday, then 20s and 30s
much of next week.
The next precipitation feature for the region looks on track for
Tuesday, however models continue to advertise a southern track which
should keep chances minimal north of I-72, and precipitation type
snow for any of central and southeast IL, as opposed to a mix of
rain and snow in southern IL.
Friday could see the next system as models indicate a fairly strong
clipper system moving through the Great Lakes. The current track
keep the bulk of the impacts to the north, but have a slight chance
into Central IL given the long-range uncertainty.
37
&&
.AVIATION... (For the 06z TAFs through 06z Sunday Night)
Issued at 1034 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
Still seeing a stream of MVFR level clouds coming off Lake
Michigan, extending as far west as a KORD-KDEC line. Ensemble
guidance suggests this will persist at KCMI through about 10-11z,
whereas KDEC will be in and out for a few hours.
Focus later in the TAF period shifts to an incoming system, which
will bring lowering ceilings/visibilities and some light snow late
Sunday afternoon into evening. By 00z, probabilities of ceilings
below 3000 feet are up to about 60-70% from KPIA-KSPI, and quickly
increasing early evening further east.
Geelhart
&&
.ILX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 31, 2:35 PM CST, 9 hours 25 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Lincoln IL
235 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
ILZ027>031-036>038-040>057-061-012045-
Knox-Stark-Peoria-Marshall-Woodford-Fulton-Tazewell-McLean-Schuyler-
Mason-Logan-De Witt-Piatt-Champaign-Vermilion-Cass-Menard-Scott-
Morgan-Sangamon-Christian-Macon-Moultrie-Douglas-Coles-Edgar-Shelby-
235 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central Illinois, east
central Illinois and west central Illinois.
.DAY ONE...Tonight.
Wind chill values will drop to 5 to 10 degrees below 0 again tonight
into Sunday morning.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.
Periods of light snow Sunday afternoon and evening will result in
slick spots on roadways. Accumulations will likely (80-90% chance)
stay below an inch.
There is a 15-30% chance for snow again on Tuesday, with the highest
chances along and south of roughly I-72.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.
ILZ062-063-066>068-071>073-012045-
Cumberland-Clark-Effingham-Jasper-Crawford-Clay-Richland-Lawrence-
235 PM CST Sat Jan 31 2026
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central Illinois and
southeast Illinois.
.DAY ONE...Tonight.
Wind chill values will drop to 0 to 10 below again tonight into
Sunday morning.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.
Periods of light snow Sunday afternoon and evening will result in
slick spots on roadways. Accumulations will likely (95% chance) stay
under an inch.
There is a 30% chance for snow again on Tuesday.
.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.
Bumgardner
Drought, Logan
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Logan forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.125, -89.367 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe Drought (D2) was ongoing at the start of the month. Lincoln experienced their driest February on record, with the official observation recording just 0.08 of precipitation, which was 1.84 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Lincoln was more than 7 inches. Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought was in place across the county by the end of the month.
Drought, McLean
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- McLean forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.491, -88.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. A cooperative observer in Normal measured just 0.17 inches of precipitation for the month, which was 1.82 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Normal was nearly 10 inches. Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought persisted through the month.
Drought, Edgar
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Edgar forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.679, -87.746 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. A cooperative observer in Paris measured 1.00 inches of precipitation for the month, which was 1.33 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Paris was nearly 9 inches. The drought worsened during February, with Extreme Drought (D3) encompassing most of the county by the end of the month. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Champaign
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Champaign forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.140, -88.199 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Extreme (D3) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. A cooperative observer in Urbana measured just 0.18 inches of precipitation for the month, which was 2.00 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Urbana was nearly 9 inches. Extreme Drought (D3) persisted through the end of the month. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling, and a burn ban was implemented for the county.
Drought, Sangamon
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Sangamon forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.758, -89.659 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe (D2) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. The official observation for Springfield measured just 0.45 inches of precipitation for the month, which was 1.48 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Springfield was nearly 8 inches. Water levels on Lake Springfield were four feet below normal. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling. Severe (D2) Drought persisted through the end of the month.
Drought, Christian
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Christian forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.546, -89.277 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe Drought (D2) was ongoing at the start of the month. Central Illinois then experienced one of the driest Februarys on record, and the Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Shelby
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Shelby forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.391, -88.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe Drought (D2) was ongoing at the start of the month. Central Illinois then experienced one of the driest Februarys on record, and the Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Vermilion
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Vermilion forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.183, -87.733 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. A cooperative observer in Danville measured just 0.23 inches of precipitation for the month, which was 2.01 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Danville was over 8 inches. The drought worsened, and by the end of the month Extreme Drought (D3) encompassed the entire county. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Coles
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Coles forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.520, -88.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Extreme (D3) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. A cooperative observer in Charleston measured 1.16 inches of precipitation for the month, which was 1.53 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Charleston was nearly 9 inches. Extreme Drought (D3) persisted through the end of the month. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Douglas
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Douglas forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.770, -88.217 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Extreme Drought (D3) was ongoing at the start of the month. Central Illinois then experienced one of the driest Februarys on record, and the Extreme Drought (D3) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows, and there were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Piatt
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Piatt forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.010, -88.591 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Extreme Drought (D3) was ongoing at the start of the month. Central Illinois then experienced one of the driest Februarys on record, and the Extreme Drought (D3) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling, and a burn ban was implemented for the county.
Drought, De Witt
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- De Witt forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.175, -88.904 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. Continued below normal precipitation during February led to the drought worsening, and by the end of the month Extreme Drought (D3) encompassed the entire county. Streamflows and soil moisture ranged from well below normal to near record lows. A burn ban was implemented.
Drought, Moultrie
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Moultrie forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.642, -88.619 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. Continued below normal precipitation during February led to the drought worsening, and by the end of the month Extreme Drought (D3) encompassed the entire county. The City of Sullivan declared a water emergency on February 11th, imploring residents to conserve water and implementing fines for watering lawns, personally washing cars, or filling swimming pools. The water emergency continued through the end of the month. Other municipalities reported that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Macon
- When
- February 1, 12:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Macon forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.860, -88.962 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe (D2) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. The cooperative observer in Decatur measured 0.61 inches of precipitation for the month, which was 1.39 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Decatur was over 7 inches. Water levels on Lake Decatur were five feet below normal, and there were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling. Stage 1 voluntary water rationing continued for the city of Decatur. The drought worsened, and Extreme (D3) Drought encompassed the entire county by the end of the month.
Drought, Stark
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Stark forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 41.093, -89.797 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Marshall
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Marshall forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 41.033, -89.345 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Fulton
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Fulton forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.473, -90.207 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Woodford
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Woodford forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.788, -89.211 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Tazewell
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Tazewell forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.508, -89.513 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Schuyler
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Schuyler forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.158, -90.615 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Mason
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Mason forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.240, -89.917 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Cass
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Cass forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.974, -90.247 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Menard
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Menard forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.027, -89.802 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Scott
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Scott forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.644, -90.475 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, as well as one of the driest Februarys on record, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) then persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Knox
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Knox forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.932, -90.213 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. A cooperative observed in Galesburg measured just 0.03 inches of precipitation during February, which was 1.84 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Galesburg was over 7 inches. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Peoria
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Peoria forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 40.788, -89.760 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The official observation for Peoria measured 0.43 inches of precipitation during February, which was 1.56 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Peoria was over 8 inches. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows.
Drought, Morgan
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Morgan forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.716, -90.201 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. A cooperative observer in Jacksonville measured 0.51 inches of precipitation during February, which was 1.21 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Jacksonville was over 8 inches. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month. Streamflows and soil moisture values across the region ranged from well below normal to near record lows, and there were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Effingham
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Effingham forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.060, -88.590 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. A cooperative observer in Effingham measured 1.50 inches of precipitation during February, which was 0.94 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Effingham was over 6 inches. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month. There were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling.
Drought, Clay
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Clay forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 38.754, -88.490 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month.The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month.
Drought, Jasper
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Jasper forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.010, -88.154 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, and continued below normal precipitation during February, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month.
Drought, Richland
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Richland forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 38.712, -88.085 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. A cooperative observer in Olney measured 1.52 inches of precipitation during February, which was 1.05 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Olney was nearly 9 inches. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month.
Drought, Crawford
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Crawford forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.003, -87.760 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, and continued below normal precipitation during February, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month.
Drought, Clark
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Clark forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.334, -87.788 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, and continued below normal precipitation during February, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month.
Drought, Cumberland
- When
- February 5, 8:00 AM CST to February 28, 11:59 PM CST
- Where
- Cumberland forecast zone
- Reported by
- Drought Monitor
- Coordinates
- 39.273, -88.240 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)
Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, and continued below normal precipitation during February, drought conditions worsened and became Severe (D2) during the month. The Severe Drought (D2) persisted through the end of the month.
- Drought
- A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
- Extreme Cold and Winter Weather in South Carolina, February 1, 20262 deaths · 2 injured · 9 events
- Cold in Mississippi, February 1, 20261 death · 22 events
- Cold in Tennessee, February 1, 20261 death · 21 events
- Extreme Cold and Cold in Ohio, February 1 to 11, 20261 death · 1 injured · 10 events
- Cold in Indiana, February 1 to 2, 20261 death · 3 events
- Drought in Georgia, February 1 to 28, 202662 events
- Cold in West Virginia, February 1 to 10, 202640 events
- Extreme Cold and Cold in Virginia, February 1 to 2, 202629 events
- Drought in Florida, February 1 to 28, 202627 events
- Extreme Cold in Florida, February 1, 202627 events
- Drought in Georgia, February 1 to 28, 202626 events
- Extreme Cold in Georgia, February 1, 202626 events
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1309624, 1309625, 1309626, 1309627, 1309639, 1309640, 1309649, 1309650, 1309651, 1309652, 1309653, 1309654, 1309655, 1309656, 1309628, 1309629, 1309630, 1309631, 1309632, 1309633, 1309634, 1309635, 1309636, 1309637, 1309641, 1309642, 1309643, 1309644, 1309645, 1309646, 1309647, 1309648, 1317481, 1317482.