Drought conditions in Iowa improved during the week of April 20 and are likely to continue improving amid recent rainfall.
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 April 23, indicated that roughly 17% of the state is experiencing some form of drought. The report includes observations as of 8 a.m. April 21, before severe thunderstorms and heavy rain on April 23.
This is an improvement from the last report, released on April 16, which showed that 22% of Iowa was experiencing some form of drought.
Here is the breakdown of drought conditions in Iowa as of April 23:
The April 23 map shows abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions mainly in northwest Iowa, while a separate stretch of dry conditions runs across southwest and southeast Iowa.
Polk County is not experiencing any dry conditions. Des Moines has recorded 6 inches of rain so far in April, well above the normal monthly total of 2.86 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Current conditions are an improvement from a year ago, when 85% of Iowa was abnormally dry, and only 28% of the state was drought-free, according to the Drought Monitor.
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.
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: Rain continues to ease drought in Iowa, new drought monitor map shows
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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