By Andi Anderson
Drought conditions have worsened in east-central Iowa, with the area of exceptional drought more than doubling in size in the past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
About 96% of the state is now suffering from some measure of drought, with the worst conditions in the eastern half of the state.
The National Weather Service reported that last week was largely devoid of significant rainfall, aside from in the counties that border Wisconsin and northern Illinois. A recent U.S. Department of Agriculture report said Iowa averaged .21 inches of precipitation, compared with the normally expected seven-tenths of an inch.
Exceptional drought notably expanded east from Benton County into most of Linn County. That worst drought designation now touches parts of eight counties, ranging from tiny corners of two counties to nearly all of Benton.
A new season outlook from the federal Climate Prediction Center says drought is likely to persist in nearly all of Iowa through the end of the year. That is a more pessimistic view than the center took last month, when it predicted drought conditions might lift from much of the state.
The ongoing drought is having a significant impact on farmers and ranchers, who are struggling to keep their livestock hydrated and their crops alive. The drought is also impacting water supplies and increasing the risk of wildfires.
There are a number of things that Iowans can do to help mitigate the effects of the drought, such as conserving water, planting drought-tolerant plants, and reducing their reliance on irrigation.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-neenawat555
Categories: Iowa, Weather