Iowa is less than 1% away from being completely drought free, thanks to record-setting rainfall totals in July and continued showers starting August.
The U.S. Drought Monitor offers a state-by-state tracking of drought conditions nationwide. New maps and forecasts are released each Thursday. What are the current drought conditions in Iowa?
US Drought Monitor map: Drought almost 100% gone in Iowa
Less than 1% of the state is considered abnormally dry with 99.4% of Iowa experiencing no dryness, according to the Aug. 7 U.S. Drought Monitor report.
About half of Fremont County is still considered abnormally dry. A sliver of Mills County is considered in moderate drought, which accounts for 0.2% of the state, according to the newest report.
At the start of 2025, nearly 80% of the state was considered abnormally dry. However, this time last year Iowa was experiencing 97.50% of abnormal dryness or drought, focused in southwest portions of the state.
What are the Iowa Drought Monitor levels?
The intensity levels range from abnormally dry, or D0, to exceptional drought, or D4.
Typically, under D0 conditions, corn can show drought stress. Pond levels start to decline under moderate drought conditions and soybeans abort pods, according to the Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor also has a look-back chart that compares drought conditions from 3 months ago up to 1 year ago.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Drought Monitor: Less than 1% of the state is abnormally dry
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