Climatologist Jim Angel
The drought that’s been decimating agriculture has been described as the worst in a generation. Temperatures have cooled a bit in recent days. But the dry weather is expected to continue. Last week, the U-S Drought Monitor reported that 95 percent of Illinois was in what’s called “severe” drought – or worse. Jim Angel, the Illinois state climatologist, says that’s not likely to change for at least another month or two.
ANGEL “I really don’t expect us to start recovery of this drought until we get into the fall months, when it finally cools off and maybe we get some large-scale rains — some wide-spread rains — as low-pressure systems move through the Midwest — typical fall weather patterns. Maybe then we’ll start to recover from this.”
Illinois has been drier than normal since January. But Angel says there’s no reason to believe that would affect our chances for a normal winter. He says most droughts end in the fall … but there’s no guarantee. Angel says one drought began in 1954 … and didn’t end for two-and-a-half years. (Brian Mackey)
