79% of state in some level of drought, lower than end of last year

DES MOINES — The state of Iowa is wrapping up 2024 with about 80% of the state in some level of drought.

According to the Iowa Drought Monitor report released on Thursday, 79% of the state is rated at least in the “D-0 Abnormally Dry” level. 61% of the state, including all of north-central Iowa, is in the “D-1 Moderate Drought” category. There’s one patch of “D-2 Severe Drought” located in southwestern Sioux, western Plymouth, and far northwestern Woodbury counties.

At this time last year, 97% of the state was in some level of drought, with most counties in our immediate listening area reporting at least some level of “D-3 Extreme Drought”.

Click here to see the latest drought monitor report.