Illinois Sees Cold and Dry January Amid Ongoing Drought

Snowfall totals were high in some areas, but precipitation levels remained below normal statewide.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Illinois experienced a cold and dry January, with multiple strong winter storms bringing significant snowfall to the southern half of the state, but also limiting the liquid water content of the snow in a state still dealing with an intense drought that began in 2025. The preliminary statewide average total January precipitation was 1.19 inches, 1.12 inches below the 1991-2020 average and tied for the 28th driest on record statewide. The preliminary statewide average January temperature was 23.5 degrees, 3.2 degrees below the 1991-2020 average and tied for the 41st coldest on record going back to 1895.

Why it matters

The combination of cold weather, dormant vegetation, and a deceivingly dry snowpack has made the ongoing drought in Illinois difficult to observe, but measurements show deeper soil layers and groundwater levels remain very dry. This has significant implications for the state's agriculture and water resources as the state transitions from winter to spring.

The details

Multiple strong winter storms in January brought impressive snowfall totals to southern Illinois, with five counties seeing locations approach or exceed one-day snowfall records on January 19, including more than 13 inches in Jackson County. However, the six-month period between August 2025 and January 2026 was a top 10 driest on record in most of central Illinois, and parts of southern Illinois that had 300% or more normal snowfall were also 1 to 2 inches drier than normal last month. In fact, most of the state outside of a narrow band from Peoria to Chicago was 1 to 3 inches drier than normal, with some parts of northwest Illinois seeing less than an inch of total January precipitation.

  • January total snowfall ranged from less than 3 inches in northwest Illinois to some isolated pockets of 20 inches in southern Illinois.
  • The northern half of the state only had 10-75% of normal January snowfall, while much of southern Illinois had 200-500% of normal snowfall.
  • The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor released on January 29 showed more than 60% of the state was still in moderate drought, and much of east-central Illinois remained in extreme drought.
  • Champaign County has been in extreme drought for 14 consecutive weeks ending on January 29, marking the longest such period since the Drought Monitor began in 2000.

The players

Trent Ford

Illinois State Climatologist at the Prairie Research Institute.

Prairie Research Institute

Provides scientific expertise and transformative research to the people of Illinois and beyond, and is home to the five state scientific surveys.

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What they’re saying

“Plenty of cold air was present when winter storms moved through Illinois in the latter half of January, producing some impressive snowfall totals, but also limiting the liquid water content of the snow in a state still in drought.”

— Trent Ford, Illinois State Climatologist (Staunton Star)

What’s next

The Climate Prediction Center outlooks continue to lean into La Niña influence, with expectations for below normal temperatures in February and equal chances of wetter or drier weather. Outlooks for February through April show better chances of wetter than normal weather, which would be helpful in making progress on Illinois' ongoing drought.

The takeaway

The combination of cold weather, dormant vegetation, and a deceivingly dry snowpack has made the ongoing drought in Illinois difficult to observe, but measurements show the state's soil and groundwater levels remain severely depleted. This underscores the need for continued monitoring and planning to address the long-term impacts on the state's agriculture and water resources.