Drought conditions in Iowa improved during the week of May 17, following a round of storms and heavy rain.
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 Thursday, May 21, showed about 27% of Iowa experiencing some form of drought, a 3 percentage point improvement from May 14, when 30% of the state was experiencing drought conditions.
The report reflects conditions as of 8 a.m. May 19, after storms brought up to 2 inches of rainfall to parts of central Iowa.
Here is the breakdown of drought conditions in Iowa as of May 19:
The map shows abnormally dry conditions across parts of western Iowa, extending east to Hancock County in northern Iowa. Parts of Lyon, Sioux, Plymouth and Woodbury counties are experiencing moderate-to-severe drought conditions.
Polk County is not experiencing any dry conditions. Des Moines recorded more than 2 inches of rain in May, with most falling during the week of May 17, according to the National Weather Service.
Current conditions are an improvement from a year ago, when 60% of the state was experiencing some form of drought, according to the Drought Monitor.
Most of the U.S. is facing drought conditions
About 76% of the U.S. is experiencing some level of drought. Some of the most intense drought conditions are in the southeast, particularly in Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Florida.
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: Storms bring relief to Iowa, trimming dry areas, Drought Monitor shows
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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