Dry Conditions Worsen; Indiana Is Drier Than Surrounding States
Most parts of Indiana now are experiencing at least abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor released Thursday (September 30). Many northern counties are beginning to show signs seen in droughtstricken central and southern counties.
Only a few northern counties had been abnormally dry. Now, most are.
“It seems like things are only getting worse,” said state climatologist Dev Niyogi. “This is not something that is going away soon. We are in a weather pattern that could continue for weeks. “
Southeast Indiana continues to be the driest part of the state, with most counties there in severe drought, the third-highest level of intensity on a scale of five conditions. Other portions of southern Indiana are in moderate drought, a step above the lowest classification of abnormally dry.
Although no northern counties are yet in drought, Niyogi said some in the northeast and northwest could be listed in moderate drought if no rain falls in those areas by the time of the October 7 Drought Monitor, which is based on many drought indices and expert input. The Drought Monitor is updated each Thursday.
Indiana has been getting some rain lately, but not enough, or it is falling where it is needed the least, Niyogi said.
Southern Indiana could move into extreme drought without rain soon, he said. That could result in mandated water restrictions in the affected counties.
The weather in October will determine how widespread a drought will be for the next growing season, Niyogi said. La Niña conditions – cooler-than-normal Pacific Ocean surface temperatures – have been shifting temperatures and rainfall across the country.
“During La Niña, we are particularly prone to drought in March, but we will watch the conditions, including land-falling tropical systems, snow and precipitation, in the winter to see what sort of deficit we end up with, “ he said.
Indiana is drier than surrounding states. While most of Ohio is abnormally dry, few counties are in drought. Conditions in Illinois and Michigan are largely normal. Much of Kentucky is abnormally dry or in drought, but most counties to the south are in normal conditions.
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