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February 2003 ranked near normal when precipitation is averaged across the state. However, dryness during the last four months gave Illinois a rank of tenth driest November-February, and moisture conditions varied geographically across the state.
As noted by the Illinois State Climatologist (Dr. Jim Angel) in a March 6 Soil Moisture Summary,
Precipitation for February was below average across northern Illinois and above average in the south, creating soil moisture conditions across the state in the 0- to 6-inch layer that were near normal to above normal for this time of year. However, below average precipitation totals over the last several months in central and northern Illinois have created drier regional conditions with increasing depth. At the end of February, an area of dry soils stretched across northern Illinois throughout the deepest three layers and in central Illinois in the deepest layer. Compared to last month, soil moisture increased in all layers.
Overall, soil moisture in Illinois at the end of February was below normal.
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