Rain Report: Beneficial rain falls over Central Illinois

Peoria, ILL. (WMBD) — A series of disturbances and a slow moving cold front brought some much needed rain to Central Illinois the past few days. On Monday, Peoria received 1.48′′ of rain making it the highest single day rainfall for the river city since June 25th. The Peoria area also picked up over a tenth of an inch of rain on Sunday and over an inch of additional rain on Tuesday bringing the three day total to 2.75′′.

Preliminary COOP observer rainfall reports

Avon – 3.19′′ South Pekin – 2.86′′ Pekin – 2.75′′ Peoria (PIA) – 2.75′′ Cooksville – 2.72′′ East Peoria – 2.66′′ Henry – 2.62′′ Metamora – 2.61′′ Bloomington (CIRA) – 2.60′′ Towanda – 2.56′′ Lewistown – 2.41′′ Arrowsmith – 2.38′′ Lincoln (NWS) – 2.37′′ Marquette Heights – 2.32′′ Canton – 2.31′′ Knoxville – 2.28′′ Normal – 2.25′′ Washington – 2.09′′ Yates City – 2.06′′ Chatsworth – 2.00′′ Peru – 1.97′′ Havana – 1.90′′ Chillicothe – 1.75′′ Dwight – 1.75′′ Lacon – 1.70′′ Goodfield – 1.68′′ Galesburg – 1.64′′ Morton – 1.49′′ Eureka – 1.42′′ Roanoke – 1.35′′ Minonk – 1.34′′

Viewer rainfall reports

Sparland – 3.25′′ Bartonville – 3.20′′ 7 East Havana – 3.20′′ Glassford – 3.00′′ N. Normal – 2.96′′ Peoria – 2.85′′ Hennepin – 2.82′′ El Paso – 2.50′′ Peoria Heights – 2.40′′ Gridley – 2.40′′ Washington (Devonshire) – 2.40′′ Washington (N. Cummings) – 2.30′′ N. Farmington – 2.20′′ Farmington – 1.80′′ Pattonsburg – 1.56′′

Drought Conditions

Prior to this latest stretch of rain, much of central and northern Illinois experienced worsening drought conditions. Many areas north of I-74 were classified as being under a "Severe Drought" while the rest of the region was experiencing "Moderate Drought". After this latest storm system, most of the region has now erased their 30-day rainfall deficits and are sitting above average.

When the next drought monitor is released on Thursday, November 7th I suspect we'll see a notable improvement, particularly south of I-74 where a complete removal of drought conditions is possible. Parts of Woodford, Marshall, LaSalle and Livingston Counties will see some improvement, but will probably remain in a moderate drought.