Drought conditions across Iowa continue to improve, with more than half of the state now experiencing drought-free conditions. Large portions of the state benefited from a week of consistent rains, with some areas getting more than 4 inches of rain from June 21 to June 28.
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?
US Drought Monitor map: How much of Iowa is in a drought?
The latest Drought Monitor report, released on July 3, showed that 57% of Iowa had no dryness or drought conditions. This is a double-digit improvement from the last report on June 26, when 45% of Iowa reported no abnormal dryness or drought, and 29 percentage points better than the Drought Monitor report on June 5.
Central and southwestern Iowa, in particular, saw improved drought conditions compared to the previous week. The portion of the state experiencing abnormal and moderate drought also decreased compared to last week. Moderate drought conditions decreased from 8.8% of the state to 4.6%, and abnormal drought conditions from 54% to 42%.
The Drought Monitor report from July 2, 2024, found that 87% 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.
What are the Iowa Drought Monitor levels?
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 how much late June rain improved conditions
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
