Dry conditions spread in southern Iowa

Dry conditions in southern Iowa continue to increase, with little chance for rain in the next 10 days.

The U.S. Drought Monitor’s report on Thursday shows that moderate drought now stretches from the state’s western border to its eastern border and that severe drought has gripped central portions of that area.

Less than a third of southern Iowa has sufficient moisture for crops, according to a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report, a reversal from June when nearly all of that region’s topsoil and subsoil had adequate or surplus moisture.

The drought is leading to a decline of crop conditions during a crucial period of development.

“Unfortunately, it looks like, for the most part, the northeast half of the state is looking to have the best chances for rain over the next 10 days,” said Rod Donavon, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. “It’s possible we could get some storms across some of those drought regions, but the overall chances for heavier rainfall is low.”

Northwest Iowa around Sioux City continues to have extreme drought conditions, though that pocket has slightly reduced in size in the past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Overall, the state is drier than it’s been since March. A wet April soaked most of the state.

This article first appeared in Iowa Capital Dispatch.