SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says a warm, dry September increased drought conditions in southern and central Illinois.

State climatologist Jim Angel says some city water supplies have also been affected by drought, meaning conservation measures are a possibility if the dry conditions persist.

According to statistics from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, statewide rainfall in September was 1.71 inches, nearly 1.5 inches below normal. That resulted in September 2007 being the 12th driest September since 1895.

September was also the 15th warmest on record, with temperatures averaging 69.8 degrees, 3.6 degrees above normal.