Iowa Counties No Longer Under Drought Designation

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Despite below-average precipitation in January, all regions of Iowa previously under drought watch have had those designations lifted, according to the latest Water Summary Update from the Iowa DNR. While the northwest corner of the state saw only 30% of normal precipitation for the month, improving conditions overall led to the removal of drought watches and moderate drought designations in eastern Iowa, though declining soil moisture persists.

Why it matters

The lifting of drought designations is welcome news for Iowa residents and businesses, as drought conditions can have significant impacts on agriculture, water supplies, and the broader economy. The state's water resources appear to be stabilizing, though some regional variations in precipitation and soil moisture remain.

The details

Iowa's preliminary statewide January precipitation totaled 0.93 inches, or 0.04 inches below normal. The driest conditions were concentrated in the northwest corner of the state, which reported approximately 30% of normal precipitation for the month. However, improving conditions in other parts of Iowa led the Iowa DNR to remove drought watches and moderate drought designations that had been in place.

• In October, dryness triggered a drought resurgence in Iowa.
• In January, improving conditions led to the removal of drought watches and moderate drought designations.