The Midwestern Regional Climate Center provides high-quality climate data and value-added tools for our nine-state Midwest region. Located at Purdue University.
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ALT A U.S. Drought Monitor map valid October 20, 2026, highlights conditions across Midwestern states. Northern Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin are experiencing the most intense drought while moderate drought covers large parts of Minnesota, Illinois, and Kentucky.
ALT This map displays the 60-day percent of normal precipitation across the central United States, valid as of October 17, 2026. Below-normal precipitation conditions stretch across parts of the Upper and Lower Midwest. Above-normal precipitation stretches across central areas of the Midwest, especially Iowa.
ALT Something different for today's Weather Story. This slide displays a table of data in various shades of light blue, under the title in big white letters stating, Recent Indianapolis Records, with subtitle in lemon yellow of much smaller font, Daily Records Tied or Broken at Indianapolis Since June 1st. The five columns of the table are Date, Record Type, New value, Old value, and Year of old record, while each row represents a new record. There are nine records, seven of which are record high minimum temperatures: first, July 3, 77, tied minimum for the date in 1911; then September 2, 3 and 4 which were 75, 75, and 77, respectively, passing old records of 74 from 1937, 1913, and 1884. September 16's was 75, breaking 74 from 1931. October 13 and 14 both had record high minimums of 66, breaking 64 from 1879 and tying 2021, respectively. Then two of the nine records were regular record highs (maximums) of 87 and 88 on October 12 and 13, surpassing 86 from both 1879 and 1975.
ALT Map of the U.S. showing precipitation percentiles for September 2026 with wetter areas in gradients of green and drier areas in gradients of brown.
ALT Map of the U.S. showing temperature percentiles for September 2026 with warmer areas in gradients of red and cooler areas in gradients of blue.
ALT Shortly after 2 PM EDT, unofficially Indianapolis recorded the warmest September ever with the average temperature of 73.8 degrees! This breaks the old record of 73.7 degrees set in 2019.
ALT 3 Steps for Flash Floods: 1. Get to higher ground (get out of the areas subject to flooding). 2. Do not drive into water (do NOT drive or walk into flooded areas. It only takes 6 inches of water to knock you off your feet). 3. Stay informed: Monitor local radar, television, weather radio, internet or social media for updates. During a flood, water levels and the rate at which the water is flowing can quickly change. Remain aware and monitor local radio and television. WHEN FLOODED TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN
ALT Flash flooding can escalate quickly. Heavy rain can lead to sudden flash floods, whether you're on the road or at a campground. Will you be ready? Set up a way to get weather warnings on your phone. When alerted to a flash flood, get to higher ground immediately. Never enter flood waters in a vehicle or on foot.
ALT National Weather Service graphic titled "Cloudiest September in Decades." On the left, a bar chart shows September overcast frequency from 1955 to 2026, ranking 2026 as the 4th cloudiest September on record at 41% overcast (behind 1965 at 56%, 1985 at 48%, and 1986 at 46%). On the right, a U.S. map displays precipitation rankings out of 134 years from August 1 to September 23, showing top-10 wettest conditions across the Corn Belt and top-10 driest conditions across Texas and the South. A bottom banner explains that a "Ring of Fire" pattern steered clouds and rain around a persistent heat dome in Texas.
ALT A map from John P. Finley’s booklet, “Tornadoes. What they are and how to observe them; with practical suggestions for the protection of life and property.” showing the path of the Enigma outbreak of tornadoes on February 19, 1884. (Image credit: Public Domain)