Dry conditions in the first half of 2012 have impacted much of the region. The hot and dry weather in June and July have only intensified on-going drought conditions across the area.

Severe to extreme drought conditions are present across much of Northern Indiana, Southern Lower Michigan and Northwest Ohio, with drought conditions across most of the region, according to the latest Drought Monitor.

While many locations saw periods of heavy rainfall over the past two weeks, other locations have seen below normal rainfall. Periodic rainfall may cause some short term improvement, but it has had little impact on the long term drought conditions currently in place.

This rainfall also came too late in the season for many area crops, which are reporting catastrophic losses. Water levels on area rivers and lakes are still near record lows for this time of year. Therefore, the latest drought monitor maintains the status quo for this week for northern Indiana and southwest lower Michigan.

The drought has worsened over northwest Ohio and has been downgraded to widespread D2 or severe drought conditions.

Source: National Weather Service