After a dry start to July in some places, the last few weeks have replenished some deficits in precipitation in some places.

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates rain over the last few weeks has not only been much-needed, it has been substantial.

According to Shimon, July has not only been wet, it has been hot. He says we're about two degrees above normal for the month, which is pretty substantial. Overnight lows have not been cooling off very much, and that is pushing the average temperature up.

Stay with us in the days ahead as we continue to hear from Shimon on the first part of August and the National Weather Service's assistance with things like Illinois football games and the Illinois State Fair.