Cooler temperatures and heavy rainfall led to a slight reduction in Iowa’s drought conditions from week to week.
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday. What are the current drought conditions in Iowa?
U.S. Drought Monitor map: How much of Iowa is in a drought?
The latest Drought Monitor report, released on Aug. 6, showed about 45% of Iowa experiencing some form of drought or abnormal dryness. The previous report, released on July 30, showed 46% of the state was experiencing some form of dryness.
The most recent report reflects conditions as of 8 a.m. Aug. 4. Here is the breakdown of current drought conditions in Iowa:
The share of land experiencing abnormal dryness dropped 6 percentage points since the July 30 report, while moderate drought increased by 4 points, particularly in western Iowa. Much western Iowa received an inch to 2 inches of rain after drought conditions were recorded.
Current conditions are worse than they were a year ago, when just 1% of the state was experiencing some form of dryness, according to the Drought Monitor report from Aug. 8, 2025.
Current U.S. drought conditions
About 71% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought or abnormal dryness, up 3 percentage points from the previous week. Drought conditions are less severe across parts of the Northeast.
Iowa Drought Monitor tracks conditions weekly
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide.
The intensity levels range from abnormally dry, or D0, to exceptional drought, or D4.
Typically with D0 conditions, corn can show drought stress. Pond levels start to decline under moderate drought conditions and soybeans abort pods, according to the Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor also has a look-back chart that compares drought conditions from 3 months ago up to 1 year ago.
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dry conditions ease in Iowa. Drought monitor shows where it lingers.
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
