Drought Information Statement for Northern IN, Southern MI, Northwest OH Valid November 18, 2025 Issued By: NWS Northern Indiana on November 20, 2025 Contact Information: nws.northernindiana@noaa.gov 574-834-1104 This product will be updated on or after November 28, 2025. The Drought Monitor remains largely unchanged from last week; Severe to Extreme Drought (levels 2 and 3 of 4) persists along and south of US 24. Several opportunities for rain exist this week, but no widespread or significant rainfall is expected. Rainfall amounts through Thanksgiving should be less than 1”. Fort Wayne is experiencing its driest year on record with a precipitation deficit of ~14” for the year-to-date. 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): Portions of north-central Indiana and far southern Lower Michigan Recent Change in Drought Intensity No changes occurred this week. Drought persists across much of the area. Precipitation In the past 7 days, precipitation has been notably absent. A majority of the area only saw up to 25% of normal precipitation. The US 24 corridor continues to see 30-day deficits with only 25-50% of normal precipitation. Summary of Impacts Streamflows, according to USGS data, continue to be well 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 the Upper Wabash and Maumee River basins. Streamflows are reading 10-24% of normal (orange) in northwest Ohio, northeast Indiana, and southern Michigan. 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 Two systems passing through, one Friday and another Monday/Tuesday, will bring light rain to the area. Through Thanksgiving, rainfall will only amount to 0.50-0.75” at most, which is not enough to offset the ongoing drought. Higher precipitation amounts are anticipated in the Ohio River and mid-Mississippi River valleys. An active pattern, with additional chances for rain and snow, is possible going into early December. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Drought conditions will continue to develop quickly within the next 8 to 14 days This is due to a lack of precipitation and upcoming warm and dry conditions Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation are favored for December based on model guidance and historical trends. The Climate Prediction center released these outlooks on November 20th. It’s too early to know if any precipitation that falls in December will be rain, snow, or a mix of both. 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: Year-to-date, Fort Wayne is experiencing the driest year on record (records began in 1897) with a deficit of over 14” for the year. Through 11/19, Fort Wayne has had 21.87” of precipitation for the year. The driest year on record is 1962 with 24.40”, so Fort Wayne will need 2.54” of precipitation or more to not be the driest year on record. South Bend is also in a precipitation deficit, but it is not as notable as Fort Wayne. Through 11/19, they are ~5” below normal for the year.