Fort Wayne, Ind. – A growing stretch of dry weather could push Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois deeper into drought conditions this September, according to the National Weather Service in Northern Indiana. After a rain-free August for much of the region, conditions are set to worsen with little relief on the horizon.
According to the U.S. Monthly Drought Outlook released August 31, large sections of the Midwest are now flagged for drought development, with Indiana among the hardest hit. Meteorologists note that rainfall has been notably lacking for weeks, and the next 1–2 weeks are expected to stay mostly dry despite scattered rain chances Wednesday night.
Farmers in northern and central Indiana may face heightened stress on late-summer crops, with soybeans and corn particularly vulnerable. Lower water levels could also affect smaller rivers and streams, adding strain to local utilities and water management systems. The NWS warns that September and October are typically drier than summer months, meaning recovery will be slow without multiple soaking rains.
Residents are urged to conserve water where possible and monitor updates from local agencies as drought conditions expand. More advisories may be issued if rainfall continues to miss the region.
