While soil moisture and water tables have improved around the state in recent weeks, streamflow levels remain low in much of central and northwest Illinois.

While large portions of the state remain abnormally dry or in some form of drought, many farmers are feeling much better about the start of planting in the weeks ahead compared to how things looked just weeks ago. 

Since it started raining, we’ve had over 5 inches in March,” said Doug Downs, president of the Champaign County Farm Bureau, whose farm has been in extreme drought for months. “My tiles are running again.  “We’ve been extremely dry since last summer but got some really timely rains (to save the 2025 crops),” he continued. “It’s been bone dry all winter, except a little snow. So I feel very fortunate now. I’d like to see more rain, of course, to keep the soil charged.”

Trent Ford, state climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey, reported many locations in central and southern Illinois received up to 5 inches or more of rain through the first half of March, which is nearly double the average for the month.

94.1 WGFA