Iowa is officially free from any drought conditions, thanks to widespread and above-average rainfall in July, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) latest Water Summary Update. Last month brought 9.20 inches of rain statewide, 4.83 inches above the monthly average, which marks the second-wettest July in 153 years of record-keeping, behind only July 1993. As a result, drought and abnormally dry conditions eased across the state, and all previous drought watch designations have been lifted. DNR Environmental Specialist Jessica Reese McIntyre says, “The latest seasonal outlooks indicate potential for no drought for most of the state, except a small pocket along the Missouri River in southwestern will likely see dry conditions continue.” That pocket she is referring to constitutes less than one percent of Iowa’s land area and falls into the D0, or abnormally dry, designation, which is only one tier higher than no designation. Average temperatures in July reached 75.4 degrees, 2 degrees warmer than normal, with eastern Iowa seeing the highest readings. Fortunately, the heat did not negatively impact drought conditions. The National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center’s August outlook shows equal chances for above-, below-, or near-normal precipitation and temperatures. While Iowa farmers can breathe easy for now, DNR officials do caution that drought conditions could still return yet this season with repeated below-average rainfall months. The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department. The complete July Water Summary Update is included below.
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