Weather

Several states, including Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, are in moderate to severe drought. Climatologists say it’s unlikely to let up soon.

Bloomington and Normal have both returned to their former policies concerning recreational fires.

Heading into the last weekend of summer, the Bloomington-Normal area has had rain one time in the last month, according to data from state climatologist Trent Ford. The lack of rain has led to moderate drought for nearly all of McLean County.

Emergency managers in McLean County have implemented a county-wide ban on open burning until Friday, Sept. 26 because of an increased fire risk.

A Facebook group providing frequent reports on weather events in Central Illinois has gained traction.

Summer afternoon temperatures have cooled off in the middle of the country in recent decades. But hotter nights and winters are still driving more overall warmth in the region.

Poor air quality caused by Canadian wildfires is expected to persist into Friday in Bloomington-Normal, according to the National Weather Service.

Next year's budget proposal for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, amplifies previous worries with potential cuts to several key programs and projects. WGLT talks to three Central Illinois experts about the possible consequences.

One location near Towanda reported over 4.5 inches of rain Tuesday during the afternoon and evening hours, according to storm reports from the National Weather Service.

Destructive tornadoes have hit states such as Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana this season as activity shifts east. Meanwhile, scientists say dry and hot weather in the Great Plains brought on by climate change could be slowing the number of tornadoes there.