October 2025
Precipitation
October 2025 Indiana’s average precipitation was slightly below normal, with average temperature above normal. The statewide monthly precipitation average was 83% percent of normal. The overall monthly temperature average for Indiana was 57.6 degrees Fahrenheit or 3.1 degrees above normal.
Six of the nine climate divisions received below normal precipitation for October (see Percent of Normal Precipitation Table). Climate Division 8 (SC) received the highest (137.9%) percentage of normal precipitation for the month, while Climate Division 3 (NE) received the lowest (53.2%) percentage.
Precipitation for the year to date (2025) ranges from 82.2% to 125.3% through October. Over the 2-year period (from November 2023-October 2025) three of the nine climate divisions have received near normal to slightly above normal precipitation ranging from 87.4% for Climate Division 3 (NE) to 109.5% for Climate Division 8 (SC).
The 12-month SPI indices show Climate Division 8 (SC) in the “extremely wet” category, Climate Division 7 (SW) in the “very wet” category, Climate Division 9 (SE) in the “moderately wet” category, and the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category. The 6-month SPI indices show Climate Division 8 (SC) in the “moderately wet” category and the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category. The 3-month SPI indices show Climate Division 3 (NE) in the “extremely dry” category, Climate Division 4 (WC) in the “severely dry” category, climate divisions 2 (NC) and 5 (C) in the “moderately dry” category, and the remaining climate divisions in the “near normal” category. The 1-month SPI indices show all climate divisions in the “near normal” category.
- Table of recent precipitation compared to normal for each climatic division of the state.
- Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) drought maps for the state for current month.
- Explanation of Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)
U. S. Drought Monitor
For October 28, 2025, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows parts of northeast Indiana are experiencing “Severe Drought” to “Extreme Drought” conditions. The rest of the state is experiencing either “abnormally dry” or “moderate drought” conditions except for small, scattered areas indicating no drought conditions. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook predicts the current drought conditions to end or improve for the whole state by the end of January 2026.
- State Map
- Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Map for the United States
- Learn more about the U.S. Drought Monitor
Streamflow
In October 2025, all twelve streams included in drought reporting since 1999 had below normal to much below stream flow. Muscatatuck River near Deputy had the lowest mean monthly flow at 12%, and the Kankakee River at Shelby had the highest mean monthly flow at 94%.
Detailed Information on Streamflow
Lake Michigan
On October 31, 2025, the Lake Michigan-Huron forecasted water level was 4 inches below the measurement taken on October 1, 2025, and 6 inches below the measurement taken on October 31, 2024. On October 31, 2025, the Michigan-Huron level was 578.05 feet, which is 20 inches above the lowest recorded monthly mean level for October set in 1964. A comparison of October monthly mean water levels to the long-term (1918- present) average shows Lakes Michigan-Huron water levels were about 11 inches below the average. All Lake Michigan-Huron data are referenced to the International Great Lakes Datum 1985.
The Lake Michigan-Huron water level is forecast by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to decrease 2 inches over the next month.
Reservoirs
On October 30, 2025, the water levels for six of the eight reservoirs monitored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were below the normal pool elevation. The deviation from normal pool ranged from -11.36 feet (Roush) to +0.6 feet (Patoka).
All three reservoirs monitored by Citizens Water, Morse and Geist, and Eagle Creek were below their respective normal pool elevations as of October 31, 2025. The deviation from normal pool ranged from -2.24 feet (Eagle Creek) to -0.26 (Morse).
Groundwater Levels
As of November 2, 2025, new water level data is available for all nine wells currently monitored. Of the nine wells, data indicates that water levels are below to well below normal for Laporte 9, Fulton 7, LaGrange 2, Vigo 7, Morgan 4, and Randolph 3. Posey 3 and Clark 20 are near normal, and Harrison 8 is above normal.
Real-time data is available for all of the wells and may be accessed on the U.S. Geological website.
Acknowledgments
This report has been compiled from Division of Water data and from information supplied by the following:
Precipitation data:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service, Midwestern Regional Climate Center
Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI):
National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and Western Regional Climate Center (WRCC)
Streamflow:
U.S. Geological Survey and State of Indiana cooperative program
Lake Michigan level data:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District
Reservoir data:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District
Groundwater level data:
U.S. Geological Survey and State of Indiana cooperative program
Temperature data:
Midwestern Regional Climate Center and Indiana State Climate Office, Purdue University