Drought in Randolph, Indiana

Precipitation totaled only around 1.10 inches across the month of February. This maintained D2 conditions across portions of Randolph county with D3 conditions in the far northwest. These drought conditions continued into at least March 2026.

The severe to extreme drought conditions that became entrenched across central Indiana during the winter of 2025-2026 persisted through the month of February. While January had seen a significant degradation and expansion of drought intensity, February was characterized by a stagnant status quo, where meager precipitation totals prevented any meaningful recovery. Extreme Drought (D3) remained fixed across the north-central corridor, while Severe Drought (D2) continued to blanket much of the surrounding West Central and Central Indiana counties.

The most intense conditions remained centered on Howard County, which stayed entirely within D3 intensity throughout the month. This Extreme Drought also maintained its grip on much of Carroll and Delaware counties, the northern half of Tipton County, and the northern third of Madison County. Furthermore, D3 conditions remained fixed in the far northwestern corner of Randolph County and northeastern Clinton County. Surrounding these areas, D2 conditions were maintained across the entirety of Warren, Tippecanoe, Fountain, and Vermillion counties, as well as the majority of Boone, Hamilton, and Montgomery counties. On the southern fringe of the drought's extent, D2 intensity persisted in northwestern Parke, northwestern Vigo, and northern Henry counties.

Precipitation throughout February was once again critically low, frequently falling well below 50% of monthly norms. The driest conditions were observed in the northwest, where Warren County recorded less than a tenth of an inch of liquid equivalent, and Tippecanoe County saw only around 0.20 inches. Other hard-hit areas, including Carroll, Howard, and Delaware counties, saw totals struggle to reach 1.00 inch. While southern and eastern fringes like Henry and Parke counties received slightly higher totals ranging from 1.50 to 2.00 inches, the moisture was insufficient to overcome the long-term deficits. While D2 conditions were proscribed to end in March for several counties'including Vigo, Hamilton, and Boone'the drought remained firmly established for the majority of the region as the month concluded.