This year, spring was dry in most parts of the Chicago region. In summer, major storms struck some places, but those storms did not always produce deep rainfall. Overall, the region has received below-normal rainfall this year, according to state climatologist Trent Ford. Total precipitation at O’Hare International Airport is already at least 8 inches below normal. As of Sept. 14, this had been the 17th driest year on record in the region.
