(Atlantic) Parts of western Iowa are still suffering from severe drought to abnormally dry conditions according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Index released late last week.
Extreme drought continues to plague the northwest Iowa counties of Sioux, O’Brien, Clay, and the northern parts of Cherokee, and Plymouth counties. Eight western Iowa counties are under severe drought including; Cass, Crawford, Ida, Sac, Buena Vista, Plymouth, Cherokee, and Palo Alto. The balance of the western half of the state ranges from moderate drought to abnormally dry.
Cass County continues to suffer from severe drought with 14.80 inches of precipitation recorded from April 1 to December 4, which is 13.62 inches below normal. Audubon County received 17.02 inches of precipitation during the same time frame, which is 11.66 inches below normal.
The balance of southwest Iowa counties south of Interstate 80 is under moderate drought conditions. The Greenfield area received 18.07 inches of rain, which is 11.10 inches below normal, Shenandoah, 19.91, 9.46 inches below normal, Red Oak, 21.37 inches, 9.25 inches below normal, Bedford, 22.45, 9.62 inches below normal, Sidney, 20.61 inches, 7.80 inches below normal, and Creston, 23.30 inches of precipitation, which is 6.83 below normal.
