NOAA and the National Integrated Drought Information System are predicting the possibility of a flash drought in Indiana beginning in the coming weeks.
INDIANA, USA — An intense heat wave is approaching Indiana with plenty of sunshine and temperatures soaring into the 90s. June is typically the wettest month in Indiana and our month with the most tornadoes. However, June 2024 will bring late summer heat that may cause a sudden drought.
For the latest temperature and heat stress forecast, tap HERE.
What is a sudden drought?
We all know what a drought is: a long period of drier than normal conditions, usually with higher than average temperatures. This helps remove moisture from the soil. A sudden drought is an accelerated drought. The onset or initiation occurs very quickly. You can go from nice, rainy weather to losing much of that water with just a few weeks of intense sun and heat. It’s basically when you go from lush, green conditions to drought in just a few weeks. That’s very fast.
Every year it is hot in summer. Thats nothing new. The problem with the upcoming heat wave is how hot it really is (high to mid 90s) and very limited rain chances for at least a week. The high pressure system, which helps block large rain systems, is very strong and will almost create an atmospheric wall that will block the chances of rain.
Because June is typically the wettest month in central Indiana, almost no rain will be very detrimental to crops, livestock and gardens across the state.
Why does it happen so fast?
How well we were doing! As of June 1, Indianapolis had a 3- to 4-inch lead in year-round precipitation. Technically we’re still fine, but the topsoil is about to lose most of its water very quickly.
There are a few reasons why:
Who is most likely to experience a sudden drought?
Most of Indiana is likely to experience a sudden drought, especially central and southern Indiana.
There may be a slightly higher chance in east-central Indiana, especially around Muncie, New Castle, Greenfield and Richmond. There may also be another target for drought conditions in southern Indiana, especially around Columbus, Seymour, Scottsburg, New Albany and Jeffersonville.
This particular forecast may change, depending on where we can get isolated heat showers during the heat wave. These are rapid rains and storms that can arise when heat and humidity force the atmosphere to form a storm cloud.
What will be the impacts of a sudden drought?
We will closely monitor the threat to agriculture across the state. Large, rapid changes in soil moisture in Indiana can have a big impact on the economy.
- Watch for cracks in the soil of corn and soybean fields, especially in bare areas.
- Your grass will start to look browner and become coarser (you will probably need to mow less).
- Water levels in rivers and streams will drop.
- The height of the lake water may gradually decrease, but this may take longer.
If you have plants that you want to protect from intense heat, be sure to give them more water.
Please stay tuned as this situation develops.
– 13News Meteorologist Matt Standridge
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