(Des Moines) Abnormally dry conditions continue in portions of southwest and west-central Iowa.
The counties of Cass, Montgomery, Adair, southeast 2/3 of Audubon, and Guthrie fall under the category of abnormally dry. Dallas County and the southeast corner of Guthrie County are in a moderate drought. The Central portion of the state remains under a moderate to severe drought.
According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan’s weekly report, seasonal temperatures returned to Iowa over the reporting period with slightly cooler conditions in eastern Iowa. The statewide average temperature was 68.0 degrees, 0.6 degrees below normal. Widespread rain fell statewide with the wettest conditions in western Iowa; multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms helped ease some drought conditions. This was the second week in which Iowa’s average precipitation total was above normal.
Glisan reported precipitation totals ranged from 0.33 inches at Keokuk Lock and Dam (Lee County) to 3.89 inches near New Market (Taylor County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.42 inches, while the normal is 0.90 inches. Several southern stations observed the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 30th, on average seven degrees above normal. Stanley (Buchanan County) reported the week’s low temperature of 46 degrees on the 5th, six degrees below normal.
