Drought conditions improve locally after last week’s rain

DES MOINES — Rain over the last week has slightly improved drought conditions across north-central Iowa.

According to the Iowa Drought Monitor report released on Thursday, all of north-central Iowa is in the “D-1 Moderate Drought” category. There were sections of Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Hancock, Wright, Franklin and Butler counties last week that were in the “D-2 Severe Drought” category.

Despite the improved conditions, USDA Iowa ag statistician Melissa Couch says soil moisture levels continue to be low statewide. “Topsoil moisture condition rated 21% very short, 38% short, 39% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 27% very short, 42% short, 31% adequate and 0% surplus.”

Here in north-central Iowa, topsoil moisture was rated 40% short, 43% short, 17% adequate and 0% surplus; while subsoil moisture was rated 32% very short, 47% short, 21% adequate and 0% surplus.

Six percent of the state is back to normal conditions after last week’s rain. 13% of the state, mainly in northwestern Iowa, is still in the severe drought level.