Severe drought is a term Illinois hasn't heard in a long time but the National Weather Service in Lincoln says by the later fall days, we might be hearing a lot more of it. Meteorologist Chris Miller indicates there could be areas of Illinois that reach severe drought status later this fall if we don't see rain.



With tropical storms popping up frequently this year, Miller says those have held off rain. He notes Tropical Storm Maria has kept precip out of Illinois before the recent cool down.



Miller says the recent hot spell was good for the farmers to get their fields dried out and the continued dry stretch will allow for a smooth harvest but long term it could be troublesome.