August is in full swing, and schools are back in session, but let’s remember that it’s still summer, meteorologically-speaking! It’s typically still quite warm in August—the normal high temperature for Indianapolis in July is 85.2°F, and only drops to 84.3°F in August. In fact, temperatures have been right around normal, with an average high temperature of 84.7°F for Indianapolis for the period August 1-14. It looks like the National Weather Service’s CPC keeps this pattern of near normal temperatures through most of the rest of August for the entire Hoosier state (Figure 1). While temperatures on some days may rise into the upper 80s, and other days may only be around 80°F, they will generally equate to near normal.
Figure 1: National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center displays near normal temperatures for Indiana for the end of August.
Even though there may be some low-pressure systems passing nearby, there is not much precipitation forecast. The 8-14 day outlook through the end of August has slight chances of below normal precipitation for Indiana, and this seems to continue through at least September 6. The pattern is trending drier, as does happen in August. Indianapolis typically observes 4.42 inches of precipitation in July, which drops to 3.20 inches for August, even less than that of October or November.
There’s already been some drying of soils noted, which is evident by the less than 50 percent of normal precipitation that much of northern and western Indiana received during August’s first two weeks (Figure 2). The drought monitor as of August 15 did not expand any dry conditions or drought, but it did not remove any more of the abnormally dry conditions in eastern and southern Indiana (Figure 3). Precipitation is closer to normal heading south and east through the state, but with below normal rain amounts in the forecast, conditions should be monitored for drought development yet again. While areas along and just north of the Ohio River seem to be on track for at least another 1 inch through August 22, areas from Indianapolis northward should expect no more than 0.5-0.75 inches of rain through the same period (Figure 4).
Figure 2: Accumulated Precipitation Percent of Mean for Indiana displays less than 50 percent of normal rainfall for northern and western portions of the state, increasing to closer to normal, albeit still below normal, for the rest of the state of August 1-14.
Figure 3: Drought Monitor for August 13 for Indiana.
Figure 4: The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center is forecasting up to 1.5 inches of rain for parts of southern Indiana, but not more than 1 inch for areas north.
While the growing season is in its latter half, growing degree days are still accumulating. With ample sunshine and seasonable temperatures, they will continue to accumulate, and likely remain above average where they have been for much of the state all season (Figure 5).
Figure 5: GDD unit accumulations are up to 200 units above normal for parts of the state, particularly central Indiana.
