Illinois State Water Survey

09/28/2026

Read the report 🔗 https://loom.ly/0dmeowY

What's been going on with the weather in Illinois this year?

In a new report, Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford looks back at the record-breaking extreme weather. From 210 tornadoes by September to a new state hail record, Illinois has had a wild year so far.

👉 Read the full report at the link in the comments.

09/04/2026

With harvest just around the corner, Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford shares a look at what September may bring. 🌧 More at https://977wmoi.com/2026/09/wet-and-dry-weather-in-the-forecast-this-harvest-season/

08/28/2026

Illinois has shattered tornado records — and tornado season isn't over yet. 🌪️

This marks the third consecutive year the state has experienced a triple-digit tornado season, raising urgent questions: Is Tornado Alley shifting eastward? And is climate change to blame?

As it turns out, the answer is complicated. WBEZ spoke with State Climatologist Trent Ford and other experts to break it down.

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It's complicated. Here's how the twisters form, and how climate change might be influencing them.

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.