Indiana drought persists, with north-central counties hit hardest

A stubborn drought continues to tighten its grip on central Indiana, especially across a broad swath of the north-central part of the state. According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, “severe” and even “extreme” drought conditions now span multiple counties between the I-70 corridor to the south and the I-80 corridor to the north, leaving soil dry, waterways low, and farmers and residents closely watching the skies for relief.

The drought’s roots trace back to late fall and early winter when precipitation was uneven. While southern Indiana and areas far north near the Illinois border saw periodic waves of rain and snow, the area in between repeatedly just missed significant moisture. Storm systems that brought snow and rain to one part of the state often slipped by the drought zone, leaving some communities starved for water even as nearby regions stayed relatively drought free.

Winter drought has real consequences for both nature and people. Dry fields and pastures stress crops and livestock, and low soil moisture makes it harder for young plants to get established once spring arrives. Forests and grasslands that would normally hold more snow and slush are instead drier and less able ...