First Time in Nine Months, No Extreme Drought North Iowa

For the first time in nine months, the U.S. Drought Monitor for Iowa does not rate any area of north/northeast Iowa in extreme drought condition.

With the drought report issued May 2nd, the southern third of Chickasaw County, roughly three-quarters of Bremer County and the western third of Fayette County were still rated in the D3/extreme drought category.

According to the Drought Monitor for this week, based on precipitation through 7 am Tuesday, May 7, all areas of those counties had improved into the D2/severe drought category. All of Floyd County had progressed into the severe drought rating two weeks ago and continues to hold its status.

Most of Butler and Mitchell counties are also in severe drought while several counties in the region are split between sections of severe drought and/or D1/moderate drought. The northeast third of Winneshiek County and northern three-quarters of Allamakee County are in the best shape, rated in D0/abnormally dry.

This week’s drought map is the first since August 15, 2023, there was no extreme drought registered in northeast Iowa. The first presence of extreme drought came with the August 22, 2023, map with sections of Floyd, Chickasaw, Bremer, Butler and Grundy counties all rated in D3/extreme drought.

The widest reach across the region for extreme drought was displayed with the January 2, 2024 drought map.