Prairie Research Institute

09/17/2026

It was a wild and wet August, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford. 🌧️
Illinois had its 5th wettest August on record — with up to 12 inches of rain in central Illinois, flooding rivers, and Danville's wettest August ever. Add in 210 tornadoes this year (more than double TX, OK, KS, NE, SD, ND, and MN combined).🤯
👉 Read the August climate report at the link in the comments.

09/17/2026

📣 Exciting news: we're continuing our longstanding partnership with Illinois Department of Transportation!

In a new 10-year, $185.5M agreement, researchers at the Prairie Research Institute will support transportation planning and project development that seek to minimize impact on natural and cultural resources. This includes assessing historic and current land use conditions, evaluating cultural resources, and surveying wildlife, vegetation, and wetlands.

👉 Learn more at the link in comments.

09/16/2026

🌧️ Why did central Illinois get hit so hard with flooding this August?
In the latest episode of Weather Realness from Illinois Public Media, Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford and atmospheric scientist Deanna Hence break down the science behind it.
Listen here:

We talk about flooding in central Illinois and why Illinois keeps getting hit with heavy rainfall. 

09/16/2026

What is El Niño, and how could it affect the weather?

In a recent story by WNIJ, Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford shared how El Niño conditions could drive milder weather in the Midwest this winter.

Read the full story below.

Illinois State Water Survey

Warmer-than-normal-temperatures in the Pacific Ocean are driving what could be the strongest El Niño on record. Here’s how that’s likely to impact weather across the central U.S this year.

09/14/2026

09/08/2026

Chris Stone, entomologist at the Illinois Natural History Survey, shared details about the life cycle of the biting stable fly with WBEZ.

Stable flies could be the culprit and they suck blood crudely through ‘bayonet-like mouthparts’

09/08/2026

⛏️ Assistant Research Scientist, Archaeology – Join Illinois State Archaeological Survey!
Conduct analysis of archaeological materials and coordinate reporting among researchers for compliance with regulations. Apps due Sep. 22, 2026.
👉 Find the link to apply in the comments.

09/08/2026

There's still time to see the Illinois State Archaeological Survey's traveling exhibit at Marion Carnegie Library! 📆 The exhibit explores how people lived in Illinois for the last 12,500 years. You won't want to miss it!

The exhibit includes displays about the Native people who lived across Illinois and explains how archaeologists use artifacts and other evidence to learn about their lives. Learn more ➡️ https://shorturl.at/NZ9y6

09/04/2026

Meteorological summer just ended, and it's been a doozy. ☔ Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford recently recapped summer with WBEZ 👉

It may not feel like it, but Monday is the last day of meteorological summer. Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford walks us through a memorable summer for extreme weather and what could come next.

09/04/2026

🦟You're not imagining it -- the bugs are extra bad this summer.

All the rain we've had across Illinois has created ideal breeding conditions for flies and mosquitoes, which thrive near pools of still water. State Entomologist Chris Dietrich at the Prairie Research Institute explains why insect populations are surging.

Illinois Natural History Survey

As Labor Day Weekend approaches, mosquitoes and flies continue to swarm. Here’s what’s causing it and when they’ll go away.