Drought in Macon, Illinois

Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit dating back to Fall of 2025, Extreme Drought (D3) was in place at the start of the month. Impacts included Stage 1 voluntary water rationing for the city of Decatur and water levels on Lake Decatur being several feet below normal. However, well above normal precipitation occurred across the region during March. The cooperative observer in Decatur recorded 8.74 inches of precipitation, which was 6.10 inches above normal. By mid-March, the drought had improved and was no longer classified as Severe (D2) across Macon County.

Due to a multi-month precipitation deficit, accentuated by one of the driest Februarys on record for central and southeast Illinois, Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) Drought was in place across much of the region at the start of the month. However, a dramatic shift to a substantially warmer and wetter pattern during March resulted in considerable improvement in drought conditions. Most areas experienced rainfall amounts 2 to 6 inches above normal, and it was a top 5 wettest March for both Lincoln and Springfield. By the end of the month, the Extreme Drought (D3) was alleviated entirely, and areas of Severe Drought (D2) shrunk considerably.