DES MOINES, Iowa — Drought conditions are getting worse across Iowa, according to a report issued Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor.
The report says 100% of Iowa is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, marking the first time since August 2013 that all of the state has had some sort of drought designation.
57% of Iowa is experiencing moderate drought, an increase from 52% just a week ago, while 27% of Iowa is dealing with severe drought. 7% of Iowa has extreme drought.
Northwest Iowa is still dealing with the worst drought conditions, and now almost all of Pocahontas County and about half of Humboldt County have extreme drought.
Like in August 2022, much of the Des Moines metro is experiencing moderate drought, while cities like Albia, Centerville, Chariton, Grinnell, Indianola, Newton, Osceola, Oskaloosa and Ottumwa are dealing with severe drought.
Through the first part of October, it has been exceptionally dry in central Iowa. Des Moines has only recorded 0.1" of rain. The average through Thursday, Oct. 13 is 1.17".
For all of 2022, Des Moines has only received 24.7" of rain, which is 6.7" below average through this time of year.
Drought has a number of harmful effects on both our environment and economy.
Ongoing drought, low relative humidity, and strong winds are leading to heightened fire danger across the state, for example.
The long-term weather pattern does not favor any sort of drought-busting weather, as there are only limited rain chances in the extended forecast.
Meaningful rainfall would be beneficial before winter arrives, otherwise much of Iowa will enter spring planting season with significant drought concerns.
New reports are issued by the U.S. Drought Monitor each Thursday. The updates account for any rain that has fallen through the Tuesday prior to each report's release.
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