Central Illinois – June 2024 was notably dry across central and southeast Illinois, with precipitation between 1 to 3 inches below normal, according to the National Weather Service. Paris saw a deficit of 3.53 inches, while Taylorville was 3.42 inches below normal. Galesburg had the highest rainfall at 4.44 inches but was still slightly below average.
According to the National Weather Service, McLean and Logan counties faced a blowing dust advisory on June 6 due to gusty winds. Severe weather events were reported on multiple occasions, including five EF-1 tornadoes in northeast McLean County on June 13, and a landsput tornado southeast of Hoopeston on June 30.
Drought conditions have emerged, affecting 54.36% of Illinois, with moderate drought conditions in Edgar, Clark, and parts of Coles and Cumberland counties. Far east central Illinois saw 2.4% classified as moderate drought.
Temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees warmer than normal in June. Peoria had its 10th warmest June on record, with temperatures peaking at 105 degrees during a heat wave from June 16-22. The coolest morning was June 11, with lows in the upper 40s.
Officials urge residents to report drought conditions to aid monitoring efforts. The outlook for July indicates elevated chances of above-normal temperatures and varied precipitation across the region.
