Over the past several weeks, temperatures across Indiana have averaged within the normal range for this time of year.  We may recall periods of extreme heat, but there were also periods that felt cooler with fall-like temperatures.  Daytime maximum temperatures have averaged near normal whereas nighttime minimum temperatures have averaged slightly below normal.  This has offered welcomed relief not only for livestock, pets, and humans, but has provide some much needed nighttime moisture recovery for vegetation, particularly as precipitation events have been few and far between. Abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions have gradually been expanding and intensifying almost everywhere (Figure 1).  The only locations that have been mostly spared – or more likely, still benefiting for recent storm tracks – is from west-central Indiana into central Indiana (Benton and Warren counties toward Madison County).  However, even those counties are starting to show stress and could soon be classified as[Read More…]