The Iowa Drought Monitor map shows conditions remaining fairly stable in the state.
While the majority of the state remains drought-free, moderate drought conditions increased slightly in western and northern Iowa, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor released on July 16.
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday.
U.S. Drought Monitor map: How much of Iowa is in a drought?
Only 11% of Iowa is experiencing moderate drought, as of July 16, up from 10% last week. Drought conditions are largely centered on western Iowa. Another 19% of the state is experiencing abnormal dryness.
The previous report, released on July 9, showed 31.4% of the state was experiencing some form of dryness. That number improved slightly in the new report to 30.5%, reflecting slight improvements in northeast and southwest Iowa.
The most recent report reflects conditions as of 8 a.m. July 7. Here is the breakdown of current drought conditions in Iowa:
Will drought conditions worsen in Iowa?
Iowa is experiencing another heat wave, with temperatures expected to reach near 100 degrees by Monday, July 20, before cooling to the mid-80s for the rest of the week. There is little chance of rain for the driest parts of Iowa, according to the National Weather Service forecast.
An active drought watch is still in effect for northwest Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Drought conditions in the far northwestern region are projected to last through September.
U.S. drought conditions
About 66% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of dryness, relatively the same as the prior week. Drought conditions are less severe across parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
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 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.
Lucia Cheng is a service and trending reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at lcheng@gannett.com or 515-284-8132.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Drought Monitor map shows were drought still persists in Iowa
Reporting by Brian Smith, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Brian Smith, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
