As the dog days of summer continue in folklore through August 11, the temperatures and humidity have increased to heat advisory status throughout the weekly outlook. Figure 1 shows the average temperatures over the last week, reaching into uncomfortable territory.
Figure 1. Average temperatures in the 70s correlate to high temperatures in the 80s and 90s across the state, with minimums in the 60s and 70s.
Outlooks for temperatures in the 6-10 day and 8-14 day show a probability for above normal temperatures persisting.
Meanwhile, much of the state received below normal precipitation in the past week (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Shows most of the state with below normal precipitation over the last week.
Although rainfall a couple of weeks ago allowed for improvement in the Indiana portion of the drought monitor, evapotranspiration has increased along with the recent relative lack of rainfall. Supplemental irrigation should be at the ready, keeping in mind that early morning irrigation allows any moisture that might have accumulated on leaf surfaces to dry quickly before diseases can establish.
The seasonal outlook released on July 20 from the Climate Prediction Center show any drought that currently exists in Indiana to be removed by the end of the forecast period on October 31. In the meantime, it is summer and will continue to act as such. The National Weather Service has no anticipated risks of heavy snowfall anywhere in the United States through August 9.