Indiana sees more drought relief, but dry conditions persist

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Remnants from Hurricane Isaac significantly improved Indiana's drought status, but the state is not out of the woods quite yet.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu) released Thursday morning showed that none of the state remains in extreme or exceptional drought - the two most extreme levels. Last week more than 25 percent of the state was in extreme drought and more than 10 percent was in exceptional drought.

"Isaac moved northward so slowly. By the time it reached Indiana it had weakened considerably and didn't give us the extreme rainfall that was originally forecast, but it did us some good," said Ken Scheeringa, associate state climatologist based at Purdue University. "We've definitely seen a more consistent rainfall pattern in recent weeks. You can tell that just by looking at your lawn. Lawn mowers have been busy.

Scheeringa said some parts of northeastern Indiana saw only about a half inch of rain from the leftovers of Isaac, which came ashore in and around Louisiana last week. Southwestern Indiana received as much as 4.5 inches. Overall, most of the state saw 2 to 2.5 inches.

Next week's temperatures are expected to be closer to seasonal norms, but forecasts show drier-than-normal conditions likely.

The U.S. Drought monitor shows almost the entire southern half of Indiana in severe drought, while the northern portion continues in moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions.

Writer: Brian Wallheimer, 765-496-2050, bwallhei@purdue.edu

Sources: Ken Scheeringa, 765 494-8105, kens@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Keith Robinson, robins89@purdue.edu
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