Consistent rainfall and thunderstormsacross Iowa the week of June 23 have continued to lift some parts of the state out of drought conditions.
As of Thursday, June 26, parts of central and southern Iowa have reported nearly five inches of rain over the previous three days.
US Drought Monitor map: How much of Iowa is in a drought?
The latest Drought Monitor report, released on June 26, indicated that 45% of Iowa had no dryness or drought conditions. This is a double-digit improvement from the last report on June 19, when 31% of Iowa reported no abnormal dryness or drought.
The portion of the state experiencing abnormal and moderate drought decreased compared to the previous week, with southern Iowa specifically receiving some relief from drought conditions. Moderate drought conditions decreased from 11.6% of the state to 8.8%.
Although drought conditions have continued to improve, Iowa remains drier than it was at this time last year.
The Drought Monitor reported on June 25, 2024, that 80% of the state was not experiencing any drought conditions. This was partly due to Iowa experiencing an unusually wet spring and early summer last year, which ended a four-year drought in the state.
Iowa Drought Monitor tracks conditions weekly
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday.
The intensity levels range from abnormally dry, or D0, to exceptional drought, or D4.
Typically under 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: Iowa Drought Monitor map shows continued improvement after heavy rainfall in Iowa.
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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