(Des Moines)– All the rain we received in April and so far in May has greatly improved overall drought conditions, basically eliminating them altogether in northwest Iowa.
The latest Water Summary Update from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows April’s preliminary statewide precipitation was 4.16 inches which is nearly a half inch above normal.
At the end of April Iowa’s Drought Plan showed overall drought conditions have improved statewide with areas of northeast and southern Iowa still carrying a “drought watch” designation. For the first time in nearly two years, no areas in Iowa have an “extreme drought” designation according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Officials say that while the recent rainfall has led to an improvement in drought conditions, areas of Iowa continue to carry drought designations due to long-standing significant precipitation shortages over the past year. None of those are in northwest Iowa.
