January rains eliminate most Indiana drought
State Climate Office: January rains nearly eliminate remaining drought in Indiana
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) -- The Indiana State Climate Office says unseasonable warmth and rain this month has eliminated most of the remaining drought in Indiana.
The office based at Purdue University says dry conditions remain only in far northern Indiana.
The U.S. Drought Monitor released last week show abnormally dry conditions that had persisted in central and southern Indiana have been erased. Abnormally dry is the lowest level of dryness.
Warm weather Jan. 8-12 melted snow and allowed the ground to thaw. Light rain during the period gave way to heavy rains Jan. 13.
The climate office says moderate drought persists in a few northwestern counties that need about 3 inches of rain to return to normal.
Northeastern Indiana has improved from moderate drought to abnormally dry. It needs about 1½ inches of rain.
