Illinois State Water Survey

07/16/2026

Check out the latest report from Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford: https://loom.ly/HLCoHAg

In the latest climate report from Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford, June was the 5th wettest on record statewide, with flooding on multiple central Illinois rivers. And Illinois recorded 65+ tornadoes in June alone — pushing the 2026 total to 173, a new all-time annual record. 🌪️

👉 Read the full report using the link in the comments,

07/08/2026

Recently on Tap Talk, we were pleased to welcome to the show a colleague from the Illinois State Water Survey: Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford! Trent explained the weather phenomenon of El Niño to Steve & Jennifer, including the science behind the oscillation’s mechanics; the likelihood of this year’s El Niño becoming a “Super” El Niño; the expected impacts on regional climates around the world; and what these impacts can mean for water supplies, systems, and wells.

Listen at the Tap Talk website, linked in this post, or find the show on audio platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and Audible.

Find the episode on our website here: https://www.drinkingwaterpodcast.org/tt082-understanding-this-years-el-nino-with-the-illinois-state-climatologist/

06/26/2026

This week on Tap Talk, we are pleased to welcome to the show a colleague from the Illinois State Water Survey: Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford! Trent explains the weather phenomenon of El Niño to Steve & Jennifer, including the science behind the oscillation’s mechanics, the likelihood of this year’s El Niño becoming a “Super” El Niño, the expected impacts on regional climates around the world, and what these impacts can mean for water supplies and systems.

Listen at the Tap Talk website, linked in this post, or find the show on audio platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and Audible.

Find the episode on our website here: https://www.drinkingwaterpodcast.org/tt082

06/22/2026

Read the full story: https://loom.ly/RVulop8

05/19/2026

Almost every community in the Chicago area is at risk of flooding, and powerful storms are expected to increase. Here's what to know about flood insurance.

05/19/2026

05/15/2026

April in Illinois was the warmest on record statewide, and eighth wettest. Read the full climate report 🔗 https://loom.ly/fdJl0vs

April in Illinois had a few brief periods of cooler-than-normal temperatures, heavy precipitation, and severe weather and tornadoes. ⛈️ Get the latest climate recap and summer outlook from State Climatologist Trent Ford and Illinois State Water Survey. 👉 Link in the comments.

04/13/2026

04/09/2026

Check out the March climate report: https://loom.ly/0YvRBcs

March brought wild temperature swings, shattered records, and much-needed rain across Illinois that helped ease drought conditions! 🌧️ Get the latest climate recap and spring outlook from Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey. 👉 Link in the comments.

03/18/2026

🔗 Read the February climate report: https://loom.ly/tyyWAGU

🌨️ Winter is wrapping up! Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the Illinois State Water Survey looks back at the season’s mild, dry conditions -- and what it could mean for Illinois’ spring climate outlook. 👉 Read the latest report at the link in the comments.