By Andi Anderson
Indiana is facing rapidly worsening drought conditions as summer has come to a close, raising concern among farmers and communities dependent on agriculture.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor on September 2, 76 percent of Indiana was considered abnormally dry, a significant increase from 26 percent just one week earlier. Moderate drought has also expanded from less than 1 percent on August 26 to over 7 percent by September 2.
The driest conditions are most severe in counties along the Ohio River in southwestern Indiana, but dryness has also spread sporadically across northern Indiana and along the Illinois-Indiana border.
Rainfall deficits are contributing to the problem. Since early August, several counties around Indianapolis and across northern Indiana have received less than 25 percent of their normal precipitation.
Even southeastern Indiana, which had better rainfall earlier in the season, has quickly become much drier. Only a few counties in southwest and northwest Indiana have recorded near or above normal rainfall levels.
Soil moisture conditions are also becoming critical. Forecasts show anomalies of 40 to 80 millimeters below normal in northern Indiana in the coming weeks. The U.S. Drought Monitor expects this trend to continue, with drought development likely across much of the state through September.
The outlook for September is not encouraging. The 8–14-day precipitation forecast for September 11–17 points to below normal rainfall in eastern Indiana and equal chances of above or below normal precipitation elsewhere. Historically, rainfall in September is lower before picking up again in October and November.
This seasonal shift makes it crucial for farmers and communities to closely monitor soil conditions as the fall progresses.
Agricultural stakeholders will be watching closely to assess potential impacts on harvest, winter crop planting, and soil recovery heading into the later part of the year.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-neenawat555
Categories: Indiana, Weather