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Midwest drought has rapidly intensified over the past five weeks and likely to persist

Posted in:

• Illinois

* Ugh…

* From the link…

• Drought has rapidly intensified across the Midwest region over the last five weeks. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 58% of the Midwest is now in moderate to extreme drought (D1-D3), compared to just 8% five weeks ago. Areas with the most rapid deterioration in conditions include central/northern Illinois, western Indiana, eastern Iowa, central Michigan, central Minnesota, and east-central Wisconsin.

• Significantly below-normal precipitation has been the main driver for the rapid intensification of drought conditions. Some areas have had multiple days of hot temperatures as well, which allows for more moisture to be extracted from the surface through evapotranspiration.

• Soil moisture is reported to be very low across much of the Midwest. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the percent of topsoil in Illinois that is rated as short to very short currently surpasses levels at this time in 2012, during the last major regional drought.

• Drought impacts continue to multiply across various sectors in the region including significant impacts to vegetation, agriculture, water supply, forestry and fire. Many people, agencies and sectors are taking action to address the impacts being felt.

• Dry conditions across the entire Mississippi River Basin (including the Missouri and Ohio basins) are driving well below average (15+ feet) river stages throughout the Lower Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, where low river stages are already causing issues and increased concerns for shipping.

• Long-range river forecasts from the NOAA River Forecast Centers indicate that the Mississippi River will reach low water stages just downstream of the Ohio/Mississippi confluence area as early as 1-2 weeks from now.

• Rainfall is crucial to alleviate drought concerns and impacts across the Midwest, particularly as corn pollination begins in early July. If corn-growing areas do not start receiving rainfall now, there will likely be impacts to corn yields, and potentially other crops as well. Water supply for livestock and municipalities in some areas is also a major concern if drought conditions persist.

• There is uncertainty in the summer outlook on whether precipitation will be above, near, or below normal. The U.S. seasonal drought outlook for June 15-September 30 shows that drought is likely to persist and potentially expand across the Midwest this summer.

How are things by you?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:05 pm

Comments

1. Drought is not good, but at least the mosquitoes haven’t been so bad this year.

   Comment by North Park Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:08 pm

2. It’s so bad in the hamlet I’m reading the play “The Rainmaker” for relief…

   Even the golf courses are more yellow than green. Looks like a Scottish summer

   Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:10 pm

3. Was chatting with someone at Levitt AMP and she mentioned that the lawn looks like August, not June.

   It’s pretty dry here.

   Comment by Squirrel Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:11 pm

4. It’s bad here but the consequences are minimal. Not many farms by me - just brown grass. I feel for farmers outside my area.

   Comment by Proud Papa Bear Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:13 pm

5. It’s not great buy we had a 1/2″ rain on Father’s day that helped. Fields could use more but that little bit bought us some time.

   Comment by Mason born Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:15 pm

6. .35 in Springfield in June. In 2012 (the last significant drought) we had .92. The story of the 2012 drought was extreme heat at the end of June and July.

   In July of 2012 there were just 3 days with high temps below 90. There were 9 days 100 or above.

   The lack of extreme heat this June has allowed area farmers to still have some hope for a good crop, BUT many are about 10-14 days away from a big crop failure. Forecast is for maybe .5 inches Saturday night via Thunderstorms.

   Let’s hope so because everyone needs some rain.

   Comment by Cool Papa Bell Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:41 pm

7. I tried washing my car to get it to rain and that didn’t work, so now I’m driving the jeep everywhere with the top down. My garden is doing ok with being watered, though.

   Comment by Mamacita Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:48 pm

8. Haven’t had to mow the lawn since early May. Lots of house fires too. Two garage fires just this week alone.

   We’re probably less than a week away from towns starting to cancel fireworks shows.

   Comment by TheInvisibleMan Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 1:52 pm

9. Riding my bike all around central Illinois most days, I see corn and beans look green. The plant height is surprisingly ok. But closer examination the ground is very dry and cracked they need rain bad. I just took the dog for walk on Church grounds and the ground bone-dry cracked and grass is totally dry and yellow. We are supposed to get ran week and pray we get it.

   Comment by clec dcn Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 2:42 pm

10. Hay crop may be telling. 30%less than last year for first crop. cyclically we are way overdue for a drought.

    Comment by flea Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 2:42 pm

11. Things look pretty poor. Every week or so, it rains just enough to get you angry. Beans are still looking alright. But that won’t last if we don’t get a significant rain in the next two weeks. Corn looks worse, again, if we get some rain in the next two weeks, there is still a decent crop to be had. The forecast is not looking good, though. If things continue as such, we will be closing the books about the third week of July and thanking God for 85% crop insurance.

    Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 2:52 pm

12. My section of Forgottonia has the Illinois River stage at about 3 feet lower than normal for this time of year.
    And for the month normal rain is about 4 inches and we have had 0.75 inches this month.

    Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Friday, Jun 23, 23 @ 3:02 pm

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