Jim Angel

Historically, a La Nina that forms in spring has a tendency for most of Illinois to be dry.

Historically, a La Nina that forms in spring has a tendency for most of Illinois to be dry.

Water heats up much more slowly than land surfaces, so in the summer the water is acting to cool the read more

Water heats up much more slowly than land surfaces, so in the summer the water is acting to cool the surrounding land surface. In the winter, the opposite happens. In winter the water remains warmer than the surrounding land.

While good rains in August and September have alleviated drought conditions in portions of central and southern Illinois, the most read more

While good rains in August and September have alleviated drought conditions in portions of central and southern Illinois, the most severely affected area in northern Illinois remains stubbornly dry.

That's just a little over an inch above normal. It's not spectacular but it's enough to make a difference here.

That's just a little over an inch above normal. It's not spectacular but it's enough to make a difference here.

We've had some recovery but nothing to breathe a sigh of relief over.

We've had some recovery but nothing to breathe a sigh of relief over.