(Des Moine) According to the latest Iowa Drought Plan, August saw another below-normal rainfall month in Iowa, with preliminary data showing that the state received 3.25 inches of rain, 0.88 inches below normal. This marks the sixth month in a row of less-than-normal rainfall.
Region 3 (northeast Iowa) is now in a “drought warning,” with conditions in some limited areas approaching “drought emergency.” This is consistent with the U.S. Drought Monitor’s D3 – Severe Drought conditions that now cover about one-quarter of the state. This is the highest D3 coverage since March 2013.
During the summer months of June, July, and August, Iowa received 9.13 inches of rain, only 67 percent of the average 13.56 inches. Drought Region 3 received less than half the expected rainfall during these summer months, making it the second driest summer on record for that area.
Iowa Department of Natural Resources Coordinator Tim Hall says opportunities for moving out of drought this year are becoming more limited, causing concern for 2024.
