Drought Information Statement for Northern IN, Southern MI, Northwest OH
Valid November 11, 2025
Issued By: NWS Northern Indiana on November 14, 2025
Contact Information: nws.northernindiana@noaa.gov  574-834-1104
This product will be updated on or after November 22, 2025.
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/iwx/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.
Severe to Extreme Drought (levels 2 and 3 of 4) persists along and south of US 24
Drought conditions improved in southwest Lower Michigan and northwest Indiana due to heavy Lake Effect snow earlier this week
A somewhat active weather pattern will provide at least a 20-40% chance of showers through early next week, with heavier rain possible next weekend
Year to date, Fort Wayne is experiencing its driest year on record


U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought Intensity and Extent:
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 north-central Indiana and southern Lower Michigan

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change:
Following heavy lake effect snow, drought conditions improved for northwest Indiana and southwest Lower Michigan

Precipitation
In the past 7 days, lake effect snow provided beneficial (yet disruptive) precipitation
30-day precipitation was only about 100-150% of normal along the IN-MI border. 
The US 24 corridor continues to see 30-day deficits with only 25-50% of normal precipitation 

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Streamflows, according to USGS data, continue to be below normal.

Agricultural Impacts
No known impacts at this time.

Fire Hazard Impacts
In northern Indiana, all previous Indiana burn bans have been lifted (Indiana Department of Homeland Security.)

Other Impacts
No known impacts at this time.


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid November 12
Streamflows are reading less than 10% of normal (red) in Indiana, along the Tippecanoe and Eel Rivers
Streamflows are reading 10-24% of normal (orange) in northwest Ohio, northeast Indiana and southern Michigan

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast

Two systems passing through, one Saturday and one Tuesday, will bring light rain (and possibly snow Tuesday) to the area amounting to generally less than 0.50”
Precipitation amounts will be greatest in central Indiana
Additional rain, perhaps heavy at times, is possible next weekend (11/22-11/23)


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:
Fort Wayne is 13.5” below normal for the year. Through 11/13, this ranks as the driest on record (#2 driest is 1934 with 22.16” of precipitation)
South Bend is 5” below normal.