Drought conditions reported statewide for first time since winter

DES MOINES — The new Iowa Drought Monitor shows the entire state is now back in some level of drought for the first time since last winter.

Last week, the majority of the listening area was in the “D-Zero Abnormally Dry” category except for most of Hancock and Winnebago counties and the northern half of Wright County. This week’s map shows the entire state being in the “D-Zero” category, with “D-1 Moderate Drought” being reported in far northeastern and far southwestern Iowa.

Ag statistician Cody Mortell with the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Iowa Field Office talks about the latest topsoil and subsoil moisture numbers.  “Topsoil moisture condition rated 6% very short, 38% short,  55% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6% very short, 32% short, 61% adequate, and 1% surplus.”

According to the Drought Monitor, Iowa had been drought free between its July 16th and July 30th reports. With dry conditions over the last month, 38% of the state was reported with some level of drought on August 27th and had jumped up to 65% in last week’s report.