Page 14 2026 Spring Farm Outlook LINCOLN DAILY NEWS March 2026 However, a positive change has occurred from the March 3-4 rains, with southern Logan County receiving around three inches of rainfall, as indicated in the image below from the WSR-88D radar precipitation accumulation algorithm. While that amount of rain is not enough to break the drought, it has been a welcome change from the dry winter conditions. Outlook for the Spring Season Looking ahead, NWS forecasters are cautiously optimistic that drought conditions could improve if seasonal precipitation trends increase as forecast. Climate outlooks from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center suggest the potential for above-normal precipitation across Illinois this Spring as shown in the image below. Such patterns could gradually ease drought conditions, though improvements may take time. Rainfall in inches from the WSR-88D radar in Lincoln IL for March 3 through March 4. Even so, drought recovery rarely occurs overnight. Soil moisture deficits often require multiple widespread rain events to replenish the ground profile, especially following extended periods of below-normal precipitation. Analysis shows that Logan County likely needs about 16 to 17 inches of rainfall in the severe to extreme drought areas between March 1 and May 1 to alleviate the drought. Looking back, only about 10% of the
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