(MCT) — The recent storm provided momentary comfort for Michele Aavang and her 2,000-acre, moisture-starved farm in McHenry County. But neither the rain nor the relief lasted long.

This summer's waterless skies, coupled with extreme heat, have slowly killed Aavang's corn crop and turned her green pastures brown, forcing her cattle to feed on hay. Though the downpour overnight Wednesday was sorely needed, it hardly made a dent in this season's statewide drought, which experts say shows no sign of turning around until fall.