National Weather Service Predicts Drought to Continue Through October

The heat index could reach or exceed 100 degrees Saturday and though storms are possible, the rain will not have much impact. The National Weather Service issued a 90-day outlook Wednesday predicting no relief for Illinois as this year's drought is expected to continue through October.

During July, 4,313 record high temperatures were reached across the country, according to NOAA and the National Climatic Data Center. And, in Illinois, so far, 2012 has been the state's warmest year on record, dating back to 1895, state climatologist Jim Angel told the Chicago Tribune.

"Every single month this year has had above-normal temperatures," Angel said. "Statewide, we've been hot and dry across the board."

The location of the jet stream is the reason for the heat this summer, according to Anthony Sagliani, a meteorologist for AccuWeather.com. 

"Unusually strong high pressure developed over much of the central part of the nation, an area where crops have been withering for months," Sagliani said in a news release. "This high pressure pushed the jet stream much farther north than usual, and there was virtually no chance of rain. Additionally, since there was no rain and less moisture for the sun's energy to evaporate, most of the power went into heating the ground, and the result was weeks of searing heat."

The Chicago Tribune reported that more Illinois counties were deemed a natural disaster area by the federal government Wednesday, making loan assistance available to farmers who have spent the summer watching their crops shrink and shrivel in the dry heat. For more about the plight of Illinois farmers, click here.