Parts of central Illinois now under 'severe drought'

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Parts of central Illinois are now under a severe drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor released on Thursday.

A portion of northern Champaign and DeWitt counties are at the D2-Severe Drought Level. The monitor classifies drought conditions in various stages:

None
D0 (abnormally dry)
D1 (moderate drought)
D2 (severe drought)
D3 (extreme drought)
D4 (exceptional drought)

The U.S. Drought Monitor estimates approximately 630,000 Illinoisans are in drought areas, mostly in the central and southern part of the state.

The U.S. Drought Monitor is released every Thursday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USDA, and NOAA.

In August, Springfield reported a rainfall deficient of over three inches. It was also the 2nd driest August on record. Springfield is one of hundreds of data sources the monitor uses to collect drought information.

Severe drought conditions, especially if prolonged, can have lasting impacts on the agricultural industry. Typically, severe droughts more immediate impacts are on lawns and water levels in wells, lakes, ponds, and rivers, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor website.

The most recent monitor suggests parts of central Illinois will see both short-and-long term impacts from drought conditions.

The WAND Weather Team's Friday morning 7-day forecast shows little to no rain chances.

Nationally, drought conditions are most extreme in the western part of the U.S., along the Rocky Mountains stretching from Arizona to Washington.