The drought's expanding, and worsening one day at a time! The latest issuance of the U.S. Drought Monitor now shows the entire state of Illinois to be in a Moderate Drought, up from 92% a week ago! The most telling change is in the Severe Drought category.

Meantime, last week, a respectable 40% of the state was in Severe Drought territory, while this week, that figure has catapulted to more than 66%! That includes the far Northernmost tier of counties, including Jo Daviess, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, and McHenry Counties! Additionally, all of Southern Wisconsin now finds itself in Severe Drought! And just to think, we've gone from Abnormally Dry to Moderate Drought to Severe Drought in a matter of just two short weeks!

There are even a few folks in the far southern tip of the Land of Lincoln now mired in Exceptional Drought, the highest classification of drought possible!

Finally, perhaps one of the most compelling stats we've had in some time... Since June 1, Tucson, Arizona has registered nearly TWICE AS MUCH RAINFALL as we have here in Rockford, 1.32" vs. 0.69"!