Prairie Research Institute

What's been going on with the weather in Illinois this year?

In a new report, Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford looks back at the record-breaking extreme weather. From 210 tornadoes by September to a new state hail record, Illinois has had a wild year so far.

👉 Read the full report at the link in the comments.

What's in a disposable v**e pen? 💨

In a new study, researchers at the University of Plymouth and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center analyzed discarded v**e pens and found extremely high levels of lead and other metals in the liquid used in many popular e-cigarette devices. By looking at v**e pens in the waste stream, the team examined what is in these products and what problems they can create once they are thrown away.

👉 Learn more about the study using the link in the comments.

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.

📣 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.

🌧️ 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:

The science behind Illinois’ August flooding | Illinois Public Media We talk about flooding in central Illinois and why Illinois keeps getting hit with heavy rainfall. 

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

A ‘super El Niño’ is on the way. What that means for fall and winter weather in the central U.S. 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.

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’

⛏️ 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.