Drought concerns rising in Illinois

CHAMPAIGN— Warmer, drier soils are prompting possible drought concerns among Illinois farmers. According to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Re...

May 24, 2023
10:42 AM

CHAMPAIGN— Warmer, drier soils are prompting possible drought concerns among Illinois farmers. According to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, soil temperatures at 4 inches under bare soil rose 17 degrees in the first three weeks of May to a state average of 69 degrees on May 21. Temperatures are 2 degrees higher than in 2022 and 2 degrees higher than the historical average. Daily highs were in the 70s and low 80s with daily lows in the 50s and 60s.