Rain Aids Iowa Noticeably In Weekly Drought Monitor Report

Rains during the week last week noticeably improved Iowa’s Drought Map. Missouri’s drought was downgraded slightly due to some dryness still being experienced in southwest Missouri. The U.S. Drought Monitor showed improved conditions in northern Missouri where the northern tier of counties showed some pre-drought conditions, but the moderate drought areas of Putnam and Mercer counties were eliminated. There are still 12 counties in southwest Missouri with some moderate or serious drought conditions.

Iowa rains last week took out the Extreme Drought, or D3 territory, entirely. There remains severe and moderate drought across virtually all of western Iowa. Now, there is 23 percent of Iowa acreage in Severe Drought, 24 percent in Moderate Drought, and 31 percent in pre-drought conditions. Iowa’s estimated population in drought areas is 1.3 million.