Illinois drought of 2025 is becoming a real concern for farmers and firefighters

According to the U-S Drought Monitor, Champaign, Coles, Douglas, Moultrie and Piatt Counties are experiencing extreme drought. The rest of Illinois is experiencing abnormally dry to severe drought conditions. This week, our Weather Realness podcast is diving into the definition and its effects on agriculture and trees. 

Host Maddie Stover talked with Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford, including the deficit in rain that we're currently facing.

Funding for Weather Realness is partially provided by the Backlund Charitable Trust.  If you have a weather or climate question for the scientists on this program, please leave a voicemail at 217.333.2141 or email weatherrealness@illinois.edu.