Drought in Macon, Illinois

Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to the Fall of 2025, Severe (D2) Drought was ongoing at the start of the month. The cooperative observer in Decatur measured 0.61 inches of precipitation for the month, which was 1.39 inches below normal. Dating back to last September, the precipitation deficit for Decatur was over 7 inches. Water levels on Lake Decatur were five feet below normal, and there were reports that dry wells necessitated water hauling. Stage 1 voluntary water rationing continued for the city of Decatur. The drought worsened, and Extreme (D3) Drought encompassed the entire county by the end of the month.

A drier than normal winter concluded with one of the driest Februarys on record across central and southeast Illinois. In Lincoln, only 0.08 inches of rainfall occurred during the month. Dating back to September 2025, precipitation deficits of 6 to 10 inches were common across the region. Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought conditions worsened during February 2026, with a notable uptick in reported impacts and community restrictions (such as water rationing and burn bans). Streamflows, water levels, and soil moisture content ranged from well below normal to near record lows.