Are we finally out of the drought? Not quite, experts say

September’s rain has been a pleasant sight, but meteorologists remain cautious heading to October about whether Indiana will move out from under this summer’s drought.

Bloomington received an estimated 7.83 inches of rain this month, a little more than four inches above normal, according to Mike Ryan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Indianapolis. August, as well, was an above average month for rain, but much of south-central Indiana remains in deficit of about nine to 10 inches of precipitation for the year.

Almost all of Monroe County remained in a “severe” drought as of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s report Sept. 25.

“We are heading in the right direction, but it’s premature to say the drought is over,” Ryan said.