Though temperatures in Iowa are starting to cool, the Iowa Drought Monitor map shows drought conditions in the state continuing to worsen. After nearly two weeks of extreme heat and little rain, the state is drier than it’s been all summer.
The latest rain, which started on Thursday, July 30, came after conditions for the weekly update were recorded.
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 Thursday, July 30, showed about 46% of Iowa experiencing some form of drought or abnormal dryness. The previous report, released on July 23, showed roughly 36% of the state was experiencing some form of dryness.
The most recent report reflects conditions as of 8 a.m. July 28. Here is the breakdown of current drought conditions in Iowa:
The share of land experiencing abnormal dryness rose 2 percentage points since the July 21 report, while moderate drought increased by 8 points, particularly in western Iowa. A very small portion of Harrison and Pottawattamie counties is now experiencing severe drought conditions.
Current conditions are worse than they were a year ago, when just 1.5% of the state was experiencing some form of dryness, according to the Drought Monitor report from July 29, 2025.
Current U.S. drought conditions
About 68% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought or abnormal dryness. Though that percentage has gone up slightly since the last report, drought conditions are less severe across parts of the Midwest and along the East Coast.
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.
Des Moines Register reporter Cooper Worth contributed to this report.
Norah Judson is a reporter for the Register. Reach her at njudson@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa is getting drier. What do latest Drought Monitor conditions show?
Reporting by Norah Judson, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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By Norah Judson, Des Moines Register | USA TODAY Network
