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Drought conditions worsen in Iowa

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

October 14th, 2022 by Ric Hanson

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The latest U-S Drought Monitor report shows conditions worsening across Iowa. The report, issued Thursday, said 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. Plymouth, Cherokee, Buena Vista and Pocahontas Counties, along with parts of seven other counties in northwest Iowa, are included in the Extreme Drought conditions.

Cass and Adair Counties are in a moderate drought, as is much of Madison County and most of Pottawattamie County. Half of the counties to our south are Moderately or Abnormally Dry. Most of the counties adjacent to Cass and to the north of I-80 are also Abnormally Dry.  There were two separate, large field fires Thursday afternoon in southwest/western Iowa.

 As was the case 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.

Ongoing drought, low relative humidity, and strong winds are contributing to heightened fire danger across the state. 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.