CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Central Illinois experienced rainfall for the first time in weeks; however, this precipitation won’t be sufficient to end the ongoing drought. The effects of the drought are expected to persist for the foreseeable future.

State climatologist Trent Ford said he was getting readings of less than an inch in areas that got rain on Tuesday.

Ford mentioned a positive aspect of the overcast and wet weather is the reduction in evaporation due to cloud cover. Despite this, he also noted that reversing the drought conditions will require significantly more rainfall than what was recently received.

“What we need is not just one big event, but several wet months consecutively throughout the rest of the fall, winter, and into the spring to kind of dig us out of the, you know, the deficit that we have right now,” Ford explained.

The recent light rain will likely reduce the risk of field fires for a short period, but the threat will return once conditions dry out again. The prolonged lack of rain has placed stress on river systems, and the repercussions may extend into the next spring.

Ford said the drought could hurt communities’ water supplies… especially towns who use reservoirs.