Drought Persists in Southeast Iowa, February Driest on Record

State climatologist warns of continued deficits heading into growing season

Mar. 27, 2026 at 4:40pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Parts of southeastern Iowa remain in moderate to severe drought, with both short-term and long-term precipitation deficits contributing to the dry conditions. According to Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan, February 2026 was the driest on record for the region, and longer-term deficits over the past five years mean the area will need to be closely monitored as the growing season approaches.

Why it matters

Prolonged drought can have significant impacts on agriculture, water supplies, and the broader economy in the affected regions. The severity of the current drought in southeast Iowa raises concerns about the potential for crop losses, livestock stress, and other agricultural challenges in the coming year.

The details

Glisan reported that February 2026 was warm and dry across Iowa, with temperatures about 8.1 degrees above average and precipitation about nine-tenths of an inch below normal. For southeastern Iowa specifically, February was the driest on record in 154 years of data. While March has brought some improvement, longer-term deficits over the past five years mean the region is still experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions.

  • February 2026 was the 10th driest on record for the state of Iowa.
  • February 2026 was the driest on record for southeastern Iowa, dating back 154 years.
  • The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released on March 26th, 2026, shows continued moderate to severe drought conditions in southeastern Iowa.

The players

Justin Glisan

The Iowa State Climatologist, who provided analysis of the drought conditions in Iowa.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We still have many stations in southeastern Iowa that have, over the last five years, missed out on at least a year's worth of precipitation. And this is where we see D1 and D2 conditions in southeastern Iowa, moderate to severe drought, on that D0 to D4 scale. So even if we've seen a wetter stretch of time through the first 19 days of March, the outlooks through the end of the month are suggesting warmer and drier conditions.”

— Justin Glisan, Iowa State Climatologist

What’s next

Glisan says his office will need to remain cognizant of the drought conditions heading into 2026's growing season, as the combination of short-term and long-term precipitation deficits could lead to further agricultural challenges.

The takeaway

The persistent drought in southeastern Iowa underscores the importance of closely monitoring water resources and agricultural impacts, especially in regions that have experienced prolonged precipitation shortfalls. As the growing season approaches, local communities and policymakers will need to consider strategies to mitigate the effects of the drought and support affected industries.