Abnormally Dry (“D0” in the U.S. Drought Monitor [USDM]) conditions were starting to develop in several areas across northern Indiana by the end of July. However, intermittent, spotty rain events as July transitioned to August seemed to occur in many of those places, suggesting conditions were returning to normal. Therefore, the only area of the…Read more about Spotty Rain Keeps Drought Away[Read More]
Climate and Weather
Aside from southern and far northern Indiana, the rest of the state has generally received below-normal precipitation over the past 30 days (Figure 1). While only a few localized areas show percentages below the 30 percent-of-normal level (one of the factors considered to recommend the Abnormally Dry (D0) classification to the U.S. Drought Monitor authors),…Read more about Dry Conditions in the Forecast – Drought Developing?[Read More]
After the brutal heatwave hit us as June transitioned to July, any future above-normal temperatures may seem normal for this time of year. The National Climate Prediction Center is indeed favoring more above-normal temperatures throughout the middle of July, so hopefully you have started acclimating to Indiana summers! The key is to hope humidity stays…Read more about Warm Temperatures and More Rain on the Way[Read More]
Spring has come and gone. Where has the time gone? Probably all those late nights spent at the youth ballpark. The average spring (March–May) temperature in Indiana was 55.9°F, which was 4°F above the 1991–2020 normal. That tied spring 2026 with spring 2024 as the third-warmest spring on record statewide. March and April did most…Read more about Cool May, Stormy June, Hotter Days Ahead[Read More]
Since last Friday, many parts of Indiana have seen a significant amount of rain (Figure 1). However, the spatial variability illustrates how there can never be enough ground observations and measurements to tell the entire story. In a 24-hour period over the weekend, an observer in Lafayette, Indiana, recorded 3.58”, and yet 3 miles to the…Read more about Are Cooler, Drier Conditions in Our Future?[Read More]
Temperatures across Indiana averaged 2°F below normal during the past 30 days (April 28–May 27) (Figure 1). Warmer-than-normal conditions earlier in April accelerated the start of the growing season, though cooler weather lately slowed Modified Growing Degree Day (MGDD) accumulation. Since April 1, MGDD totals have ranged from about 150 units in northern Indiana to…Read more about Dryness Returns to Northern Indiana as Southern Conditions Improve[Read More]
The first week of May certainly didn’t feel like May, as temperatures were 5-10°F below normal across the state (Figure 1). Daytime maximum temperatures struggled to reach 60°F across the northern half of the state, while southern areas only saw low 60s for much of the week. Using Indianapolis as a reference point, given its…Read more about May’s Cold Start And A Pattern Change[Read More]
Indiana saw a lot of precipitation in the early part of this past week, with rainfall totals of 0.5” or more in northern and far southwestern counties and more than 5” in south-central Indiana. In fact, an observer just south of Bedford, IN, reported a combined total of 5.80”! Figure 1 shows the 2-day total…Read more about An Impressive Amount of Rain[Read More]
Soil temperatures are often a guide for various timing decisions in agriculture. In the spring, once soil temperature (often at 4” depths) is sustained above a particular threshold (e.g., 50°F), field preparations and planting can progress, for example. Temperatures may also relate to pest and weed emergence. The Midwestern Regional Climate Center, in partnership with…Read more about A Look at Soil temperature Climatology[Read More]
Indiana has exceeded its previous maximum duration record of 46 weeks in drought (since May 20, 2025) since the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) began in 2000. The previous record was 44 consecutive weeks. This was a bit of a surprise when I saw it, since it includes the 2012 drought and multiple other drought periods…Read more about An Impressive Amount of Rain[Read More]