Area Drought Expected to Continue Say Forecasters

The brown grass, the harvest, and continued fall-like weather may be coming faster than normal in north and northeast Iowa. 

The area is experiencing below normal rainfall, which National Weather Service Meteorologist Jim Lee says isn’t expected to change anytime soon.

In years past, forecasters have been able to turn to such anomalies as El Nino or La Nina, but Lee says that isn’t the case right now.

With the fall harvest approaching in northern Iowa, the dry conditions may prove beneficial for area farmers to get out into the fields and work more efficiently.  Still, the need for rain continues and Lee says it’ll take more than a sporadic shower to break up the persistent dry pattern.

According to the National Weather Service in Lacrosse, Charles City recorded 1.94 inches of rain in August, 55 % less than the normal 4.28 inches of rain. New Hampton received just 1.37 inches of rain last month, almost 70% less than the normal August rainfall of 4.59 inches.

Other locations rainfall totals (for the month of August vs. Normal)

Decorah:  0.91  vs. 4.39 inches

Osage:  1.76 vs. 3.95 inches

Fayette:  0.85 vs 4.13 inches

Waukon:  0.71 vs. 4.70 inches

Oelwein:  .64 vs. 3.85 inches

Nashua:  1.50 vs. 4.42 inches

St. Ansgar:  2.12 vs. 4.02 inches