Drought Conditions Ease in Much of Southern Indiana…Additional Improvement Expected Thanksgiving Week.

Some of the state’s hardest hit drought areas of southern Indiana received significant rainfall on November 13 and again on November 16. Total rainfall of ½ to nearly 3 inches occurred east of a line from Fort Wayne to Evansville. Much of east central, south central and southeast portions of Indiana received 1 to 2 inches of rainfall as depicted below:

2009 vs 2010 comparison

The highest rainfall total during this 4 day period was recorded at Fairland in Shelby County, just southeast of Indianapolis. Many locations, including the Indianapolis area, received the largest amount of rainfall since late July to middle of August.

The biggest benefit of this recent rainfall was some reduction of the high fire danger that exists in central and southern Indiana. Rivers, streams and lakes remain at below normal levels in many areas.

After a dry weekend, unsettled weather will return to Indiana for the early portions of Thanksgiving week. Significant rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is possible in central and southern Indiana from Monday morning through Wednesday morning. High temperatures on Thanksgiving will be in the 30s. Additional improvements to drought conditions will occur as a result of this rainfall and colder temperatures.

Total precipitation for 2010 at Indianapolis through November 21 was 28.20 inches, 8.50 inches below normal for the year to date. This is the 14th driest year on record at Indianapolis for the January 1 through November 21 periods. Below is a comparison of precipitation at Indianapolis between this year and last year. The top graphic is the year to date precipitation in 2010 and the bottom graphic is for 2009. Precipitation went above normal during the spring of 2009 and continued 5 to 10 inches above normal for the remainder of the year. Total precipitation through November 21 last year was 45.05 inches or nearly 17 inches more (16.85 inches) for the same period in 2010. The Indianapolis International Airport received nearly 0.50 inches (0.48 inches) of rainfall on November 16. The last time rainfall exceeded an inch at the airport was on June 22 when 1.64 inches was measured.

2009 vs 2010 comparison