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 nearly 980 units in southern Indiana (Figure 2). North of Indianapolis, accumulations have generally been near to slightly below normal, while southern Indiana remains 60 to 180 units above average through May 27. Recent warmer temperatures have also promoted rapid crop growth statewide.
Figure 1. Temperature and precipitation summaries for April 28–May 27, 2026, by Indiana climate division. Values shown include average temperature, 1991–2020 average temperature, temperature departure from normal, total precipitation, 1991–2020 average precipitation, precipitation departure from average, and percent of average precipitation.
Figure 2: Left – Accumulated Modified Growing Degree Days (MGDD) from April 1 through May 27, 2026. Right – MGDD departures from the 1991–2020 normal for the same period.
Precipitation over the past 30 days has been a tale of two regions across Indiana. Central and southern Indiana have generally received above-normal rainfall, while northern Indiana has remained drier than normal (Figure 3). The driest conditions have been focused across northwest Indiana, where Climate Division 1 averaged just 2.75 inches of precipitation from April 28 through May 27 (Figure 1). That was 1.40 inches below normal, or 66 percent of average. These deficits have allowed soils to dry and contributed to the redevelopment of abnormally dry (D0) conditions.
Figure 3. Left – Accumulated precipitation from April 28 through May 27, 2026. Right – Percent of 1991–2020 normal precipitation for the same period.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released May 28, expanded D0 conditions across much of northwestern Indiana following persistent dryness (Figure 4). Meanwhile, southern Indiana improved after several rounds of heavy rainfall. Areas along the Ohio River that were in moderate drought (D1) last week improved to D0 in the latest update.
Figure 4. May 26, 2026, US Drought Monitor Map, released on May 28, 2026.
Looking ahead, Indiana is expected to enter a dry stretch of weather, which should support increased field activity in wetter areas of the state. Forecasts indicate little to no precipitation across most of Indiana between May 28 and June 4, with only isolated totals up to one-tenth of an inch possible in far southwestern Indiana. This pattern will likely allow soils to dry further, especially across northern Indiana where deficits have already developed. Beyond early June, Climate Prediction Center outlooks favor a transition toward near- to above-normal precipitation by mid-month.