Most of north-central Iowa still in moderate drought

DES MOINES — The first Iowa Drought Monitor report of 2025 shows most of north-central Iowa is still in moderate drought.

57% of the state is in at least the “D-1 Moderate Drought” level this week, down from 61% last week. Here locally, all but northeastern Worth and far northern Mitchell counties are in the moderate drought category, with those areas being in the “D-0 Abnormally Dry” level.

20% of the state, all in south-central Iowa, is not reporting any drought conditions currently. The western portions of Plymouth and Sioux counties are the only portions of the state that are currently in the “D-2 Severe Drought” level.

One year ago at this time, all but three percent of the state was experiencing some level of drought, with a majority of north-central Iowa being in the “D-3 Extreme Drought” level.