The Iowa DNR “Drought Plan†essentially puts northeast Iowa under a “drought warning,†with conditions in some limited areas approaching “drought emergency.â€Â Â
The DNR says northeast Iowa got less than half the expected rainfall in June, July, and August, making it the second driest summer on record for that area.Â
Tim Hall, Iowa DNR coordinator of hydrology resources, says, “August started with good rainfall, but since the middle of the month conditions have turned very dry, especially in parts of northeast Iowa. All of the indicators are pointing in the direction of continued dryness over the next week, so opportunities for moving out of drought this year become more limited, causing us concern for 2024.â€
August was the sixth straight month the state had less rain than normal. Preliminary data shows the state received 3.25 inches of rain, 0.88 inches below normal. During all three months of summer, Iowa received a total of 9.13 inches of rain, only 67 percent of the normal 13.56 inches.
