Drought Information Statement for Southern Indiana and Central Kentucky
Valid April 7, 2026
Issued By: National Weather Service WFO Louisville, KY
Contact Information: nws.louisville@noaa.gov
This product will be updated April 17, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/LMK/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.
Severe Drought (D2) conditions exist across SW KY
Moderate Drought (D1) conditions exist across central KY
Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions exist across portions of KY and southern Indiana
Low accumulating rain chances over the next week

U.S. Drought Monitor

Drought intensity and Extent

D2 (Severe Drought): Southwest Kentucky

D1 (Moderate Drought): Central Kentucky

D0: (Abnormally Dry): Small portion of SW Indiana and portions of Kentucky, especially eastern KY

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 

Drought Worsened: Across a large portion of Kentucky
 
No Change: Across portions of Kentucky, especially eastern KY

Drought Improved: No improvements over the past week

Precipitation
Over the past 30 days, approximately 1 to 4 inches of rain fell across southern IN and KY.

These 30 day rainfall totals fall mostly in the 25 to 75 percent range of normal precipitation

Temperature
Over the past 7 days, most locations across southern Indiana and central Kentucky experienced 3 to 8 degrees above normal temperatures

Over the past 30 days, the region experienced an 8+ degree temperature anomaly

Summary of Impacts
Sources: University of Kentucky Agriculture Department and Kentucky Division of Water
Hydrologic Impacts 
Most of Kentucky is in Hydrologic Drought. USGS gage stations show streamflow across much of the Commonwealth as below normal to much below normal. Flows are lowest in the Green, Salt, and Kentucky River basins.

Agricultural Impacts
The US Crop Report shows 39% of topsoil and 36% of subsoil is short to very short. Last week’s precipitation did temporarily help conditions.

Fire Hazard Impacts
It is currently Spring Forest Fire Hazard Season in Kentucky until April 30. Wildfire activity remains elevated though there are no known impacts over central Kentucky at this time.

Other Impacts
The state averaged 0.85” of precipitation over the past week, 0.15” below normal. Since Jan 1st, the state has averaged 8.27”, 4.86” below normal.

Mitigation Actions
No mitigation actions communicated at this time.


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Much Below Normal to Low Streamflow in central Kentucky 

Below Normal to Much Below Normal Streamflow in southern Indiana

Source: National Crop Bulletin
Agricultural Impacts
The US Crop Report shows 36 percent of subsoil is short to very short for KY. 

The US Crop Report shows 24 percent of subsoil is short for Indiana.

Hay, Livestock and Winter Wheat were in good condition as of early April.

Mild and dry weather has promoted pasture growth and eased the strain on hay stocks.

Due to lack of rain, some farm ponds are shallow for this time of year.

Fire Hazard Impacts
As of now, no significant wildfire potential exists through May.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
A cold front will slowly push through the region Friday evening (4/10/26) resulting in minor rainfall accumulations between a trace and a quarter of an inch.

An unsettled pattern sets up for next week with several opportunities for rainfall, but overall accumulations are projected to be less than an inch total. 

Highest accumulations over the next week will occur over western KY and SW Indiana.

Rapid Onset Drought Outlook
No significant hazards are expected for southern Indiana and Kentucky during the next 8-14 days.

Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
There is roughly a 33 percent chance of seeing above normal precipitation for the month of April.

There is roughly a 45 percent chance of above normal temperatures for the month of April

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Predicted Soil Moisture Anomaly suggests worsening soil moisture conditions

Monthly temperature outlook leans towards warmer than normal conditions

Monthly precipitation outlook leans slightly above normal

Given the above factors, expect drought conditions to either remain the same or worsen over the next few weeks