October

Ken Scheeringa
and
Kayla Hudson
(765) 494-8105
Nov 8, 2012
http://www.iclimate.org
October 2012 Climate Summary
Month Summary
In a reversal from the hot and dry summer, cooler and wetter than normal conditions are the new
trend for a third month in Indiana. The 2012 drought continues to fade across the state. By the end
of October less than 10% of Indiana area remains in at least moderate drought status according to
the US Drought Monitor. More than half the state has recovered to normal soil moisture levels for
this time of year. A hard and sudden freeze on October 8th ended the 2012 growing season in the
northern half of the state with most southern counties following later.
The remnants of two tropical systems visited Indiana this month, one to start the month and the
second at the very end. The leftovers of Tropical Storm Norman made its way from the Baja of
Mexico to Indiana, causing temperature swings and pesky showers on October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, but
left no other real impacts. Later on October 30th and 31st, Superstorm Sandy wandered westward
toward Indiana after making landfall in New Jersey. Northerly wind gusts piled water to near
record wave heights on southern Lake Michigan. Onshore winds caused damage in Porter county.
A few snow showers mixed in with the rainfall over eastern Indiana.
The state average October temperature was 51.7°F, a departure of 2.2°F below normal and the 25th
coldest October since 1895. The most recent cooler October was 50.3°F in 2009, ranking in 10th
place. In 2006 the state average temperature was 51.0°F, good for 17th place. The October in
drought year 1988 averaged 47.2°F, the 4th coolest on record. The day split results for October
2012 are 19 days of below normal temperature, 1 day at normal, and 11 days with above normal
temperature. On 3 days the state average temperature was at least 10°F above normal in contrast to
6 days at least 10°F below normal. The highest official temperature in the state was 84°F on
October 22nd at Boonville. The coolest daily official October temperature was 21°F recorded on
October 8th at Wanatah. This date marked the earliest first autumn freeze in 11 years for many
Indiana communities. Temperatures this day fell below 28°F in much of the northern half of the
state, a killing freeze that ended the 2012 growing season.
The state precipitation total was 3.97 inches, or 1.07 inches above normal. This total ties 1985 as
the 26th wettest October on record. There have been several wetter Octobers since 2000. The most
recent was in 2009 with 6.79 inches that ranks in 4th place. Then there was the 5.09 inches of 2006,
placing at 10th, and the 4.26 inches of 2004 in 21st place. The wettest October in recent times was
the 7.72 inch total in 2001, coming in at 2nd place since state records began in 1895. Regionally
rainfall this month was about 140% of normal in northern Indiana, 160% of normal in central, and
120% of normal in southern counties. The highest daily cooperative station rainfall report this
month was 2.21 inches, measured at Tipton on October 24th. In the CoCoRaHS network the
heaviest single day rainfall amount was 2.15 inches at Eaton on October 6th . Precipitation
generally fell on about 17 days in Indiana this month.
The first snow showers of the season were few and scattered as Superstorm Sandy tracked
westward. Fort Wayne, Leesburg, and Winchester all reported their first measurable snowfall total
of 0.1 inch this month.
Superstorm Sandy caused severe weather damage near the end of the month. On October 30th high
onshore winds up to 70 mph caused building and vehicle damage at the Indiana Dunes park. Wave
heights in southern Lake Michigan reached nearly 22 feet, the second highest on record. These
waves were a remarkable 11 feet higher than at the north end of the lake.
October 1st – 7th
It was a rainy first week of the month with a fast 22°F swing in state average temperature. The
remnants of Tropical Storm Norman impacted Indiana weather to start October, similar to Isaac last
month, but unlike Isaac in its history and intensity. Norman originated in the east Pacific Ocean. It
made landfall in the Baja region of Mexico on September 29th, traveled east to Texas as a tropical
depression, then turned northward from Mississippi to reach Indiana on October 2nd. Though
Norman arrived as a weakened storm, its tropical warmth and humidity were evidenced by an
upward spike in Indiana temperatures and circular rain shower pattern.
To begin the Norman remnants displaced a cold high pressure center over Indiana on October 2nd.
The next day the storm retreated westward to Illinois, placing Indiana squarely into a warm air flow
from the Gulf of Mexico. Indiana temperatures were on the rise these first 4 days of the month.
Temperatures climbed steadily from 6°F below normal to peak at near 8°F above normal. The
warm flow expanded in coverage on October 4th but in the upper atmosphere Norman was
collapsing and its energy being exported to other low pressure systems. The next day a sweeping
cold front marched across the Midwest and Indiana, lowering temperatures by 8°F. A strong cold
air flow continued into October 6th and average temperatures crashed to 14°F below normal.
Pressure waves intensified in the upper atmosphere, opening the gateway to more Alaskan cold. A
second cold front moved through Indiana on October 7th, reinforcing the cold as the week ended.
For the week state temperatures averaged about 4°F below normal. Typically for this first week of
October daily maximum temperatures should vary between 67°F and 74°F north to south across the
state. Daily minimums normally range between 46°F in far northern Indiana to 49°F in
southwestern counties.
Tropical storms can have a circular rainfall pattern with showers north of the low center moving
east to west while those south of the center move west to east. This was seen on Indiana radar at
least some of the time. The Norman remnants were weak and precipitation persisted as small rain
showers and drizzle for much of its duration. The bulk of Indiana rainfall came later this week with
the passage of the first cold front. Overall for the week rainfall totaled about 0.8 inch across
northern Indiana and 1.7 inch in central and southern regions. These amounts equate to about 90%
of normal in the north, 210% of normal in central, and 230% of normal in southern Indiana. The
heaviest single daily rainfall this week was reported on the morning of October 6th by CoCoRaHS
observers in east central and south central Indiana. On this day the Eaton volunteer measured 2.15
inches, while Fortville noted 2.10 inches. The rain gage at Bedford collected 1.84 inch, Cloverdale
had 1.80 inch, while 1.77 inch fell in Bloomington. For the week total Eaton led the way with 3.21
inches. At Bedford the sum was 2.71 inches; Hazleton recorded 2.70 inches, Spencer 2.61 inches,
and Bloomington 2.50 inches. An Indiana map of the week’s precipitation totals follows below.
The two month trend to improved soil moisture continued. By the end of this week none of Indiana
was classified by the US Drought Monitor in the severe, extreme, or exceptional categories. The
October 9th edition rates 40% of Indiana in moderate drought status (D1 category), and 54% in the
abnormally dry (D0) category. The remaining 6% is considered free of dryness, that is, having
adequate soil moisture. In effect most of the moderate drought area from the prior week has been
moved to abnormally dry status. The adequate areas are now located primarily in southwest and
south central Indiana. Weekly maps of the Indiana Drought Monitor are found at the end of this
monthly summary.
The October 7th edition of the USDA Indiana Weekly Weather and Crop bulletin states that some
areas of Indiana were too wet to continue harvest this week. Corn harvest has advanced to 49%
complete with 96% of all corn having matured and safe from frost. Soybean harvest is 30%
finished with 94% of the crop now shedding leaves. Wheat planting is underway with 18% of the
task completed and 2% of the new crop emerged. Pastures are rated 28% in good to excellent
condition which has helped grazing of livestock. Newly cut hay has been slow to dry this week.
The topsoil moisture survey rates 22% of the state as short or very short of moisture. Subsoils are at
52% in these same categories, a slow improvement from a week ago.
Crawford county lifted its mandatory burn ban on October 5th. Burn bans only remain in Martin
and Clark counties.
October 8th – 14th
Unlike the temperature roller coaster of last week, a warming trend was underway in Indiana this
second week of October. But first a strong surface high pressure ridge settled over the eastern part
of the country. Clear skies and no wind allowed Indiana temperatures to plummet to or well below
freezing the early morning of October 8th. Except for far southern counties, most of Indiana now
experienced their first autumn freeze this season, for many the earliest since 2001. Several counties
saw temperatures dip below 28°F, killing crops and vegetation, and so marking the end of the 2012
growing season. At Wanatah in northwest Indiana the overnight temperature plunged to 21°F.
State average temperatures this day chilled to about 11°F below normal.
A fast jet stream in the upper atmosphere now moved closer to our state causing storm systems to
speed up across the Midwest. Warmer air in advance of a Minnesota storm system nudged Indiana
temperatures to 9°F below normal the next day. The cold front part of this storm followed quickly
on October 10th but temperatures had little time to react. Rather temperatures rose to 6°F below
normal as high pressure behind this front passed overhead then raced east of Indiana the next day.
On October 12th a second cold front moved through the state but again state average temperatures
held steady. High pressure the next day hurried over Indiana eastbound to the Atlantic coast. This
time state temperatures bounced from 6°F below normal to 2°F above normal. The week closed as
a warm front traveled through Indiana, opening the way to warm air that peaked at 5°F above
normal, resulting in the warmest day of the week. The warmth was carried into the state by gusty
50 mph to 60 mph winds, especially in northern Indiana. Overall this week state temperatures
averaged 6°F below normal. Typically for this time of year daily maximum temperatures should
range between 64°F and 72°F north to south across Indiana. Daily minimums should vary from
about 44°F in far northern Indiana to 47°F in the extreme south.
The rapid pace of fronts across the state this week allowed for only one dry day. Yet amounts were
very light statewide the first half of the week when cooler temperatures prevailed. Only when
temperatures climbed to above normal levels near the end of the week were rainfall amounts
significant. For the week total rainfall was about 0.7 inch in northern Indiana, near 0.2 inch in
central, and under 0.1 inch in the south. These amounts equate to 130% of normal in northern, just
30% of normal in central, and less than 10% of normal rainfall in southern counties. Obviously the
heaviest daily rainfall this week was in northern Indiana. CoCoRaHS volunteers in two Demotte
locations measured 1.42 and 1.34 inches on the morning of October 14th. Two North Judson
observers had 1.41 inch and 1.35 inch that morning. Total rainfall for the week was only slightly
higher at these sites. The Demotte gages had 1.51 inch and 1.47 inch for the week. One of the
North Judson reporters had 1.51 inch while 1.48 inch fell for the week at New Carlisle. The weekly
rainfall map following this report shows well the concentration of rain in northern Indiana while the
southern half of the state had little.
The drought continues to improve week by week in Indiana. The October 9th edition of the US
Drought Monitor states that only 25% of Indiana remains in moderate drought status (D1 category).
There is no drought or dryness in 7% of the state (None category). The remaining two thirds of
Indiana are rated as abnormally dry but not in drought (D0 category). As the October 16th edition of
the Indiana drought map visualizes at the end of this monthly summary, drought conditions yet
persist in northeast Indiana and in small parts of west central and extreme southwest Indiana.
According to the soil moisture survey printed in the October 14th edition of the Indiana Weekly
Weather and Crop report, 22% of topsoil is still rated as short or very short of moisture. Subsoil
moisture is surveyed at 53% in these same categories. The report also states the Indiana harvest
proceeded well except in northern areas interrupted by rain later in the week. High winds on
October 14th caused some lodging of corn in northern counties. Corn harvest stands at 61%
complete with 11% of corn remaining in fields in good to excellent condition. For soybeans harvest
is 51% finished with 34% of remaining soybeans in the field in good to excellent condition. Wheat
planting is now moving along at 47% complete now that soil moisture is returning. Pastures are in
26% good to excellent condition. Livestock continue in good condition now that some pastures are
available for grazing after drought recovery.
There was no change in county burn ban status this week. Martin and Clark counties continue as
the only counties in Indiana where a mandatory burn ban remains in force.
October 15th – 21st
Weather changes slowed this week with the passage of just one warm and cold front through
Indiana. Average state temperatures wandered little, staying within 3°F of normal on all 7 days.
The rainy October continued with just two dry days this week.
A storm was departing Indiana as the week began, pulling in cool air which dropped temperatures a
bit to 3°F below normal. A three day warm up followed as high pressure slid east across Indiana
the next day. On October 17th a warm front passed through. Southerly winds behind this front
tapped into warmer air, allowing temperatures to peak at near 3°F above normal. The center of this
storm held back over Wisconsin, intensifying greatly in the upper atmosphere. A long sweeping
cold front wrapped around this center and outpaced the storm through Indiana. Temperatures
slipped only a few degrees to 1°F below normal by October 19th. The storm center to the west now
collapsed and transferred most of its energy to another storm center over Maryland. The lapse of
the western storm allowed Indiana weather to settle towards the weekend. A new high pressure
ridge moved to the state. Indiana temperatures bounced a few degrees to close out at near 3°F
above normal. Overall for the week state temperatures averaged at right about normal. Typically
for this week in October daily maximum temperatures should range from about 61°F in far northern
Indiana to 69°F in the extreme southwest. Daily minimums normally vary between 42°F and 45°F
north to south.
Light rain fell often this week, typically producing about a quarter inch per day. The warm and cold
front events combined to generate about a half to one inch in most locations. The heaviest amounts
were reported by CoCoRaHS observers on the morning of October 18th. On that day the Eaton
volunteer measured 1.79 inch. In Poseyville 1.28 inch fell while the Kingsbury gage collected 1.21
inch. In Huntertown 1.18 inch was observed. Regionally for the entire week about 1.4 inch was
noted in northern Indiana, 1.3 inch in central areas, and 1.0 inch across the south. These totals
represent nearly twice the weekly normal in northern and central Indiana while the southern region
averaged right about normal. There were locally heavier weekly totals in north central Indiana.
The CoCoRaHS reporter in Granger had 2.58 inches for the week while South Bend measured 2.56
inches. At New Carlisle 2.53 inches was noted. Two volunteers in Mishawaka had 2.37 and 2.32
inches for the week.
The Indiana drought seems to be approaching its end. The October 23rd edition of the US Drought
Monitor places just 7% of Indiana in moderate drought status (D1 category), nearly all of that in
parts of 6 counties in the northeast corner of the state. Two-thirds of the state is now rated as
abnormally dry (D0 category) but not in drought. The remaining one quarter of the state is
considered to have adequate soil moisture. Much of the improvement this week came with the
movement of areas from moderate drought status to having adequate soil moisture. The adequate
regions form two west to east bands across central and southern Indiana. Weekly maps of Indiana
drought status are found at the end of this monthly summary.
Another rendition of the drought status is given in the Indiana Weekly Weather and Crop bulletin.
The soil moisture survey in the October 21st edition of this report rates only 13% of Indiana topsoils
as short or very short of moisture. Subsoils are rated at 47% in these same categories. The bulletin
also notes that corn harvest is running 14 days ahead of schedule. About 72% of the Indiana corn
crop is harvested with some delays due to the cool and rainy week. The soybean harvest is about 3
days ahead of schedule with 69% of that crop harvested. Winter wheat planting is well underway at
71% complete with 25% of that crop emerged. Pastures have improved greatly at 32% in good to
excellent condition, helping to stretch the tight winter hay supply. Livestock continue in good
condition as a result of the improved pastures.
Clark county ended its mandatory burn ban on October 17th. In Indiana only Martin county remains
with an open burn ban due to the impacts of this summer’s drought.
October 22nd – 31st
The final ten days of October featured two significant storm events. The first was a strong cold
front from the Great Plains that arrived in Indiana on October 26th, which is not unusual. The
second event was the landfall of Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. From ground level upwards
through the troposphere, the remnants of Sandy merged with the same cold front and pressure
system that had passed through Indiana days earlier. The miles tall and up to 1000 mile wide
enhanced storm would be tagged as Superstorm Sandy. The monster storm drifted westward and
influenced Indiana weather on October 30th . It is interesting that a cold front that had passed
through and well east of Indiana would morph into another storm, then return to impact Indiana
again 4 days later!
The ten days had started calmly enough with a warming trend underway with a high pressure
system located just east of Indiana. Over the next 3 days a wedge of warmth formed over the state
ahead of a slow moving low pressure system in the Iowa region. The warming continued, peaking
at 16°F above normal in Indiana on October 24th. Winds became strong the next day ahead of the
cold front attached to the same system. On October 26th the cold front surged eastward through
Indiana, opening the gate to much colder Canadian air. Temperatures dropped by 20°F the next
day, settling at 5°F below normal. Cool air would now pour into Indiana to the end of the month as
thermometers lost a few more degrees each day. By October 28th the state average temperature had
fallen to 8°F below normal.
Now the long reach of Superstorm Sandy entered the Indiana weather picture. Wind speeds
increased statewide on October 29th with gusts up to 70 mph near Lake Michigan the next day.
Rain and snow showers from Sandy spread to the eastern half of Indiana. Cold north winds across
Lake Michigan suppressed Indiana daily temperatures, falling to 11°F below normal. Sandy was
now on a northward track towards Lake Erie, weakening along the way. Sandy’s grip on Indiana
loosened on October 31st as winds began to die down. State temperatures fell to their lowest point
of the week at 12°F below normal as the month of October and Superstorm Sandy faded away from
Indiana.
Overall for the ten day interval state temperatures averaged right at normal, masking the wild swing
from 16°F above normal early in the interval to 12°F below normal at the end. Typically for this
time period in October daily maximum temperatures should vary from about 58°F in far northern
Indiana to 66°F in the southwest corner of the state. Daily minimums normally range between 40°F
and 43°F north to south across the state.
Precipitation was frequent, occurring on about 7 of these last 10 days somewhere in our state.
Common daily amounts were about a quarter to third of an inch. Locally heavier amounts came
early in the interval during the warm spell. On October 23rd the CoCoRaHS volunteer at Fowler
measured 1.80 inch while in Kentland 1.52 inch fell. The next day the Atlanta gage recorded 2.21
inches while 1.48 inch was collected in Eaton and 1.46 inch in Rensselaer. Total precipitation for
the 10 days ranged from about 1.1 inch in northern Indiana to 1.2 inch in central sections and 0.7
inch in southern Indiana. These totals equate to about 140% of normal in the north, 170% in
central, and right about normal in southern counties. The highest CoCoRaHS totals over the 10
days included 2.96 inches in Atlanta, 2.40 inches at Flora, 2.35 inches in Rensselaer, 2.30 inches at
Kentland, and 2.13 inches in Tipton.
A touch of snow fell in extreme eastern Indiana as cold northerly winds brought on by Sandy picked
up lake effect moisture. But snowfall amounts were tiny, just 0.1 inch measured at a very few
locations.
Indiana wind gusts on October 30th during Superstorm Sandy ranged between 40 mph and 70 mph.
In Porter county the roof was blown off a vehicle storage building and a wall collapsed at the
Indiana Dunes park. Fallen trees blocked a few roads across the county as well.
The effect of these northerly gusts on Lake Michigan were dramatic. On October 30th wave heights
were measured near 11 feet at the north end of the lake. But at the southern end of the lake wave
heights reached almost 22 feet, the second highest wave heights on record since 1981. Northerly
winds from Superstorm Sandy pushed and piled water from the north end to the south end of the
lake to create the massive difference. The observations also indicate waves were at least 18 feet or
higher during 10 consecutive hours, a new record for duration. However the record acknowledges
no wave records are kept during winter seasons.
Indiana soil water continues to recharge as the drought fades away. The US Drought Monitor of
October 30th indicates a shift of about 30% of Indiana area from abnormally dry (D0 category) to
normal status. The map now shows nearly 60% of Indiana in normal soil moisture status, 35% as
abnormally dry, and only 7% in moderate drought (D1 category). Only about four counties in
extreme northeast Indiana and the southern tips of two extreme southwest counties make up this
moderate drought area. The abnormally dry regions form three west to east bands across the state.
A drought map showing where these bands are located is found near the end of this monthly report.
An independent view of the current soil moisture status is found in the October 28th edition of the
Indiana Weekly Weather and Crop report. The soil moisture survey shows only about 10% of
Indiana topsoil is still rated as short or very short of moisture. About 38% of subsoil remains in
these same categories.
The report notes that harvest has slowed this past week due to rain and muddy fields with some
local harvesting stopped by the wet conditions. Yet the corn harvest remains 12 days ahead of last
year’s pace and soybeans are still 2 days ahead. Harvest of both crops is estimated to be 81%
complete. Winter wheat seeding is nearing its end and two-thirds of the new crop has emerged.
Pastures are rated at 38% in good to excellent condition. Regrowth is a pleasant surprise to
livestock managers after the crippling summer drought. Livestock continue in good condition with
the availability of the new pasture grasses.
There were no changes in county burn ban status in the past 10 days.
October 2012
Temperature
Region
Northwest
North Central
Northeast
West Central
Central
East Central
Southwest
South Central
Southeast
Temperature
50.3
50.1
49.9
51.2
51.2
51.0
54.4
53.9
53.4
Normal
52.9
52.2
51.8
54.1
53.5
52.7
56.7
56.0
55.2
Deviation
-2.6
-2.2
-1.9
-2.9
-2.3
-1.6
-2.3
-2.1
-1.8
State
51.7
54.0
-2.2
Precipitation
Region
Northwest
North Central
Northeast
West Central
Central
East Central
Southwest
South Central
Southeast
Precipitation
4.69
3.90
3.36
4.42
4.44
4.27
3.35
3.54
3.52
Normal
2.92
2.95
2.70
2.90
2.82
2.73
3.04
3.02
2.98
State
3.97
2.90
Deviation
1.77
0.95
0.66
1.52
1.62
1.54
0.31
0.53
0.54
1.07
Percent of Normal
161
132
124
153
157
156
110
118
118
137
Autumn so far (September - October)
Temperature
Region
Northwest
North Central
Northeast
West Central
Central
East Central
Southwest
South Central
Southeast
Temperature
56.4
56.1
55.8
57.3
57.3
57.0
60.6
60.0
59.2
Normal
58.6
58.0
57.6
59.9
59.3
58.5
62.4
61.6
60.9
Deviation
-2.3
-1.9
-1.7
-2.6
-2.0
-1.5
-1.8
-1.7
-1.7
State
57.8
59.7
-1.9
Precipitation
Region
Northwest
North Central
Northeast
West Central
Central
East Central
Southwest
South Central
Southeast
State
Precipitation
7.43
6.71
6.24
10.28
11.23
10.82
11.24
10.33
9.14
9.42
Normal
6.13
6.25
5.90
5.93
5.81
5.52
6.18
6.13
5.95
5.99
Deviation
1.29
0.46
0.34
4.35
5.42
5.30
5.06
4.21
3.18
3.43
Percent of Normal
121
107
106
173
193
196
182
169
153
157
2012 Annual (through October)
Region
Northwest
North Central
Northeast
West Central
Central
East Central
Southwest
South Central
Southeast
Temperature
56.4
56.1
55.9
58.3
58.0
57.3
61.5
60.7
59.6
State
58.3
Temperature
Normal
53.3
52.8
52.4
54.9
54.5
53.6
58.0
57.4
56.6
54.9
Deviation
3.1
3.2
3.4
3.3
3.5
3.6
3.5
3.2
3.0
3.3
Region
Northwest
North Central
Northeast
West Central
Central
East Central
Southwest
South Central
Southeast
Precipitation
28.32
27.32
25.53
29.53
33.16
31.68
31.02
34.00
33.39
Precipitation
Normal
32.23
32.27
31.05
34.67
34.13
33.01
37.76
38.06
37.01
Deviation
-3.91
-4.95
-5.52
-5.15
-0.97
-1.32
-6.74
-4.06
-3.62
Percent of Normal
88
85
82
85
97
96
82
89
90
State
30.52
34.54
-4.03
88
Drought Summary from the U.S. Drought Monitor
Below is a drought summary for the state of Indiana from the U.S. drought monitor.
Areas in white are not experiencing any drought. Yellow areas are abnormally dry, but not
considered a drought. Drought begins when the moisture levels become more severe,
with beige, orange, red, and brown indicating increasing levels of drought (moderate, severe,
extreme, and exceptional, respectively). The table below indicates how much of the state is not
under drought conditions, and also how much of the state is under drought conditions from its
respective column upwards.
For example, October 2nd has 14.7% of Indiana under at least D2- D4 drought status, 77.2% under
at least D1-D4 status, and 100.0% under D0-D4. Subtracting the D2-D4 category (14.7%) from
the D1-D4 category (77.2%), tells us that 62.5% of Indiana is in the D1 category alone (moderate
drought). Please note, however, that these areas are not exact, and much of this drought map has
been created from reports throughout the state and in estimation, so use this information as a general
view rather than for specifics.
October 2nd Drought Summary
October 9th Drought Summary
October 16th Drought Summary
October 23rd Drought Summary
October 30th Drought Summary