Drought Monitor Update for Thursday, July 5th, 2012

The Tennessee Valley, Southeast, Deep South, and lower Ohio Valley: Brutal heat and only light to locally moderate rain engendered a broad expansion and intensification of dryness and drought. Most of this region recorded less than half of normal precipitation during the last 30 days, with under 25 percent of normal falling on the lower Ohio Valley, much of Kentucky and northern Tennessee. Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee each have 45 to 50 percent of their corn crop in poor or very poor condition as well as 34 to 49 percent of soybeans.

Some of us have had some rain over the past week, but not that much to help with our drought. Some are lacking just a little bit of rain while the rest of us are in a major drought. The drought outlook is showing that this drought will only worsen if we do not get any rain soon.

Midwest

Starting off in the Midwest, only 28.94% is at or near normal conditions. Last week it was 39.70% and last year was 98.82%. Good news at this time, no one is under the Exceptional Drought.

None: 28.94%
Abnormally Dry: 33.22%
Moderate Drought: 25.88%
Severe Drought: 8.47%
Extreme Drought: 3.49%
Exceptional Drought: 0.00%

Indiana
All of Indiana at this is lacking rainfall. Last week, just 0.14% of the state was at or near normal conditions. This week, everyone is under normal conditions. This time last year, we were all wet. Extreme Drought for the Tri-State area of Indiana and for Northeastern Indiana. I do believe next week those areas could be in the Exceptional Drought conditions if we do not get any rainfall. Central Indiana is under a Severe Drought with the rest of the state under a Moderate Drought or still just Abnormally Dry.

None: 0.00%
Abnormally Dry: 10.98
Moderate Drought: 20.18%
Severe Drought: 45.38%
Extreme Drought: 23.46%
Exceptional Drought: 0.00%

Year to Date Rainfall Totals and Departure from Normal
Evansville: 11.94”, -12.73”
Indianapolis: 15.15”, -7.28”
Lafayette: 11.56”, -7.23”
Terre Haute: 12.56”, -10.90”
Muncie: 13.92”, -7.00”
Bloomington: 12.05”, -13.50”
Shelbyville: 13.10”, -9.69”
Fort Wayne: 11.01”, -8.60”
South Bend: 12.84”, -5.27”
Valparaiso: 12.08”, -5.37”

　

Illinois
The drought in Illinois is like Illinois politics, everything just gets worse. The drought has now grown in the state and next week we could see the whole state under some form of a drought. The Extreme Drought still staying in Southern Illinois, but only time will tell if it makes its way more towards Central Illinois.

None: 0.00%
Abnormally Dry: 7.95%
Moderate Drought: 52.05%
Severe Drought: 31.87%
Extreme Drought: 8.13%
Exceptional Drought: 0.00%

Year to Date Rainfall Totals and Departure from Normal
Chicago O’Hare: 13.39”, -3.64”
Chicago Midway: 11.00”, -8.11”
Peoria: 11.77”, -6.70”
Springfield: 14.47”, -4.65”
Champaign: 12.26”, -7.60”
Decatur: 9.83”, -9.61”
Lawrenceville: 12.03”, -10.17”
Lincoln: 9.62”, -9.64”
Mattoon: 13.27”, -5.92”

Kentucky
Last week, just 3.41% of Kentucky was at or near normal conditions. This week, the whole state needs rain as well. Eastern and Central Kentucky is a mix of Abnormally Dry, Moderate Drought, or Severe Drought Conditions. The Extreme Drought conditions is staying in Western Kentucky at this time, which includes the Tri-State area of Kentucky. Part of this area could be at Exceptional Drought conditions next week.

None: 0.00”
Abnormally Dry: 18.08”
Moderate Drought: 34.03”
Severe Drought: 27.55”
Extreme Drought: 20.34”
Exceptional Drought: 0.00”

Year to Date Rainfall Totals and Departure from Normal
Paducah: 11.85”, -14.16”
Louisville International Airport: 24.16”, -0.12”
Lexington: 17.48”, -6.98”
Bowling Green: 20.01”, -6.62”
Frankfort: 19.11”, -5.05”

All rainfall total data is as of 11:59PM local time on Thursday, July 5^th, 2012