Federal agriculture officials say the harvest is drawing to a close in Illinois.
The USDA’s weekly crop report issued Monday says the corn and soybean harvests are 96 percent finished in Illinois. The sorghum harvest is 91 percent complete. The corn harvest is far ahead of last year at this time.

The report says that winter wheat planting is about 89 percent finished and rated in fair to excellent condition.
The harvest finishes after Illinois saw a warmer and drier October than average according to the state’s climatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey.

October saw below average rain and above average temperatures in Illinois. November will be somewhat different for parts of the state.

Statewide average precipitation was 1.47 inches, 1.79 inches below the norm for October, while the average temperature was 55.8 degrees, 1.7 above the October average.

State climatologist Jim Angel says the National Weather Service is predicting the mild temperatures will continue this month, but more rain is expected.

“On the precipitation side, they’ve got the southern two-thirds of the state with an increased chance of above-average precipitation. So a little bit on the wet side,” Angel said.

Angel says it’s part of a larger area of wetter weather expected in the southern United States.

The northern third of Illinois may be spared, as its outlook gives it equal chances for below-average, above-average, or near-average precipitation.