Ind. weather returning to normal with recent rain

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana climatologists are saying rainfall at the end of August and through the start of September is helping reverse the state's persistent drought.

State climatologists at Purdue University say the remnants of Hurricane Isaac helped some, but a Sept. 7 storm provided even more rainfall than that. Associate state climatologist Ken Scheeringa says September so far has been about two degrees warmer and three times wetter than normal. The central and southern portions of Indiana have been the wettest.

State climatologist Dev Niyogi says while the drought is reversing, its effects will persist for quite a while. He says the impacts will be seen on ecosystems, such as regional water supply sources, for the coming months.

The U.S. Drought Monitor's says nearly 27 percent of Indiana is in severe drought.