Drought Information Statement for Central Indiana Valid October 18, 2024 Issued By: NWS Indianapolis, IN Contact Information: nws.indianapolis@noaa.gov This product will be updated by November 15, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ind/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Drought conditions worsen across northern half of Indiana Dry pattern continues 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for central Indiana Drought intensity and Extent D1 (Moderate Drought): Carroll, Clinton, Delaware, Fountain, Howard, Madison, Montgomery, Parke, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Warren D0: (Abnormally Dry): Bartholomew, Boone, Brown, Clay, Daviess, Decatur, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Jackson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Owen, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Sullivan, Vigo D4 (Exceptional Drought): [State each county or region under D4 or remove subheading.] D3 (Extreme Drought): [State each county or region under D3 or remove subheading.] D2 (Severe Drought): [State each county or region under D2 or remove subheading.] D1 (Moderate Drought): Bartholomew, Decatur, Fountain, Jackson, Jennings, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Parke, Vermillion, Vigo Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for central Indiana Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change 1 class degradation over northern counties 1 class improvement over southern counties No change in middle portion from 4 weeks ago Precipitation Below normal precipitation was the rule across most of northern and central Indiana the past 30 days, with near normal to above normal precipitation across southern Indiana Some spots in northern Indiana were as low as 10 to 25 percent of normal Image Caption: NWPS 30 day Precipitation Accumulation (inches) valid October 17, 2024 Image Caption: NWPS 30 day Precipitation Percent of Normal valid October 17, 2024 Temperature The 7 day temperature anomaly (ending Sept 1) over most of the state for max temperatures has been 6 to 8 degrees above normal The 30 day anomaly (again ending Sept 1) shows max temperatures a little warmer than normal across eastern Indiana Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Numerous reports of low lake, pond and stream levels (County Extension Drought Input) Agricultural Impacts Corn and soybean harvest progress significantly ahead of five year average Cooler weather aided pasture regrowth, but producers still relying on supplemental hay feedings (USDA Indiana Crop Report) Fire Hazard Impacts Numerous county burn bans (IDHS Burn Ban Status) Field and combine fires reported in several counties (County Extension Drought Input, USDA Indiana Crop Report) Other Impacts None reported Mitigation Actions None reported Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow is near normal across most of southern Indiana and northern Indiana along the Michigan border, with a good chunk of central Indiana below normal Numerous reports of low lake, pond and stream levels Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map for Indiana valid October 17, 2024 Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is near normal across southern Indiana along the Ohio River, but very dry across central Indiana Corn and soybean harvest progress significantly ahead of five year average Small field and combine fires Cooler weather aided pasture regrowth, but producers still relying on supplemental hay feedings Link to Latest Indiana Crop Report Fire Hazard Impacts County burn bans in place across much of northern and western Indiana Concern for continuing development of field and combine fires For the latest Indiana burn ban map, click here. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The seven day precipitation forecast shows almost no precipitation across the state. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Rapid onset drought risk is in place for most of the state excluding northern Indiana Areas already experiencing drought are expected to persist or worsen Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage November outlooks show a lean toward warmer than normal temperatures, and equal chances for all outcomes for precipitation Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is predicted to improve or end across the northern half of Indiana during the 3 month period ending January 31st, with no drought expected across southern Indiana However, the current dry pattern looks to hold through the end of the month, so conditions could get worse before potential improvement this winter Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook