Severe drought is expanding as the weather pattern begins to be more active

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Severe drought continues to expand westward into southern Michiana in the latest drought monitor.

The most recent drought monitor update that was released Thursday morning shows severe drought expanding into Pulaski County.

South of US-30 is in or near severe drought as rain has been lacking further south.

South Bend and Mishawaka are still in moderate drought, which is one level better than severe drought.

Abnormally dry conditions exist north of the state line as drought technically has not started there due to more frequent rounds of rainfall.

Friday mornings rainfall will not do much to help drought, but it does not hurt either.

Most areas near the state line have picked up over a quarter of an inch of rain Friday morning.

This slowly begins what could be a more active pattern going into November.

Another rain chance exists near Halloween, and more chances of rain could linger into the first week of November.

As of now, it does not look too wet or enough to erase drought.

However, any amount of rain is needed, and a more favorable pattern looks to indicate more rain will be on the way.