While much of the region is still rated in the D1 category for moderate drought, conditions continue to improve according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Iowa.
Ratings are based on precipitation through 7 am Tuesday, November 19, with this week’s report issued before many areas received between three-quarters and one-and-a-half inches of rain on Tuesday.
Thus, all of Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Hancock, Howard, Floyd, Fayette, Franklin, Grundy, Kossuth Mitchell, Winneshiek, Worth, Winnebago, and Wright counties remain categorized as being in moderate drought.
The eastern three-quarters of Allamakee County and eastern quarter of Clayton County have progressed into the D0 category for abnormally dry, with remaining areas of those counties in moderate drought.
During the week of November 13 through November 19, the National Weather Service in La Crosse says rainfall totals ranged from 0.50″ near Rochester, MN to 1.86″ near Necedah, WI. Typically 0.4″ of rain falls during this time period.
NWS says that over the 90 days from August 21st through November 19th, rainfall departures ranged from 2″ wetter-than-normal to 5″ drier than normal, with the largest deficits (up to 5″) were west of the Mississippi River.
