Much of Southwest Indiana is now in a moderate drought.

That’s according to the latest US Drought Monitor released this week which shows all of Knox, Daviess, Marting, Gibson, Pike and Vanderburgh Counties in a D-1, or Moderate Drought Status, which is between the Abnormally  Dry and Severe Drought Categories.

Other areas affected include northern, Dubois, western Posey and eastern Warrick Counties.

Most of the rest of Indiana is in the D-O or Abnormally Dry Category.

Across the Wabash River, Lawrence and Wabash Counties in Illinois are also in a Moderate Drought.

A Moderate Drought is defined as a region experiencing some damage to crops and pastures, low water levels in streams, reservoirs, and wells, and the possibility of water shortages.