Drought Information Statement for Northeast Illinois and Northwest Indiana Valid October, 17, 2024 Issued By: WFO Chicago, Illinois Contact Information: nws.chicago@noaa.gov This product will be updated if drought conditions worsen. Current statements: drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Previous local statements: www.weather.gov/lot/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Regional Updates: www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/?dews_region=54&state=All Drought conditions expanding and worsening across most of northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana Limited rainfall chances may lead to further worsening of drought this fall. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent: D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of Winnebago, Dupage, Cook, and Lake counties in Illinois. D1 (Moderate Drought): Most of northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana D0: (Abnormally Dry): Parts of Will and Cook counties in Illinois. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Winnebago County, parts of Lake, DuPage, and Cook counties, most of Livingston COunty No Change: Remainder of northern Illinois and northern Indiana Precipitation Precipitation has been below the 30-year average for almost all areas of northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. The most significant precipitation deficits over the last 30 days have been near Kankakee/Iroquois counties in east central Illinois and in far northwestern Illinois near the border with Iowa. Temperature Temperatures have been above the 30-year average across almost all of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions Temperature anomalies have been 3-5°F above average in northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Low streamflow values have neared or exceeded drought thresholds at multiple locations across northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana. Low streamflow has not yet reached known thresholds for significant impacts to water supply, shipping traffic, or power generation. Zero flow or near zero flow reported in many small ditches and headwater streams. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts Multiple field fires have been reported across northern Illinois since the beginning of October. Other Impacts Multiple reports of dormant grass, cracked soil, increased watering. Mitigation Actions Burn bans are in effect for multiple counties in Indiana. Some watering restrictions reported. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts River streamflow across northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana generally ranges from much below normal to near normal Despite several river basins currently indicated as “near normal,” small creeks/streams within those basins are generally below normal with the larger rivers trending lower Low streamflow on large rivers has not yet reached known thresholds for significant impacts to water supply, shipping traffic, or power generation. Image Caption: USGS 7-day average streamflow HUC map valid 2024 10 15 Fire Hazard Impacts Multiple small field fires have been reported since the beginning of October across northern Illinois. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, the risk for significant fires is generally low for the remainder of October. Due to dry vegetation, days with dry weather and windy conditions over the next few weeks may allow for isolated wildfires to spread. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The chance for measurable precipitation is low across northeastern Illinois and northwestern Indiana over the next 7 days. A pattern change toward more opportunities for rainfall may materialize toward the end of October. Until then, no improvement in drought conditions is expected. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Dry weather forecasted for the next few weeks may mean worsening drought conditions prior to any possible improvements. The seasonal drought outlook from the Climate Prediction Center indicates drought conditions continuing in Illinois through early winter, with drought conditions possibly improving in Indiana.