Drought Information Statement for Northern IN, Southern MI, Northwest OH Valid October 28, 2025 Issued By: NWS Northern Indiana on October 30, 2025 Contact Information: nws.northernindiana@noaa.gov 574-834-1104 This product will be updated on or after November 6, 2025. Severe to Extreme Drought (levels 2 and 3 of 4) persists along and south of US 24. Extreme Drought has expanded into portions of Blackford and Jay counties in Indiana and Defiance, Putnam, and Allen counties in Ohio within the past week. Drought conditions improved in southwest Lower Michigan due to scattered lake effect rain showers last week that amounted to 0.50” to 2” of rain. Primarily dry in the next 7 days with exception of some scattered showers downwind of Lake Michigan Friday and Saturday. U.S. Drought Monitor D3 (Extreme Drought) and D2 (Severe Drought): All Indiana and Ohio counties along and south of US 24 D1 (Moderate Drought): Southern Lower Michigan and north-central Indiana D0 (Abnormally Dry): Mainly in far northwest Indiana and southwest Lower Michigan Recent Change in Drought Intensity Drought conditions improved across southwest Lower Michigan Drought worsened in some locations along and south of US 24 Precipitation In the past 7 days, there has been little to no rainfall across northern Indiana and northwest Ohio. North of US 6, lake effect showers brought up to 2” of rain in some spots! 30-day rainfall exceeded normal in southern Lower Michigan but was noticeably below normal across northern Indiana and northwest Ohio Temperature Temperatures were about 2 to 4 degrees below normal for the 30-day period ending September 10th Cool, damp mornings (from dew) have provided temporary drought relief for some vegetation Above-normal temperatures (highs in the 90s) are expected in the coming week. This will worsen drought conditions. Summary of Impacts 28-day streamflows, according to USGS data, continue to be below normal. Agricultural Impacts No known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts Burn bans are in effect for a few northern Indiana counties (Indiana Department of Homeland Security.) Prior to rainfall last weekend, there were reports of field fires in Paulding County (Ohio State University Department of Extension) Other Impacts Top soils are extremely dry and there is a lack of groundwater. Depending on how much water can be put back into the ground over the winter (via snowmelt), fall drought may have impacts on next year’s spring planting, especially along and south of US 24 where the worst drought is. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid October 22 Recent rain has allowed streamflows to recover somewhat, but many still remain below normal Streamflows are reading less than 10% of normal (red) in far northeast Indiana and far northwest Ohio Streamflows are reading 10-24% of normal (orange) in northwest Ohio and north-central Indiana Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture continues to deteriorate, especially along the US 24 corridor in Indiana and Ohio. Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid October 8, 2025 Above: Crop Moisture Index by Division. Weekly value for period ending October 4, 2025 Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Scattered lake effect rain showers are possible downwind of Lake Michigan Friday and Saturday. Rainfall amounts will be between 0.10” and 0.25” for most of the area (could be higher closer to the lake). Mainly dry from Sunday through next week. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are anticipated to improve this fall and winter, per the Climate Prediction Center Precipitation departures: Rain totals vary widely across a span of 100 miles for the month of October. South Bend has had 3.25” and Fort Wayne has had 0.77” as of October 30th. Fort Wayne is over 13” below normal for the year while South Bend is only 4” below normal.