DES MOINES – Despite below-average precipitation in January, all regions of Iowa previously under drought watch have had those designations lifted, according to the latest monthly Water Summary Update.
Although months of dryness triggered a drought resurgence in October, improving conditions in January led to the removal of drought watches and moderate drought designations in eastern Iowa, though declining soil moisture persists even as seasonal streamflows stay within normal ranges.
Iowa’s preliminary statewide January precipitation totaled 0.93 inches, or 0.04 inches below normal. The driest conditions were concentrated in the northwest corner, which reported approximately 30% of normal precipitation for the month. The preliminary statewide average temperature for January was 19.3 degrees, which is 0.2 degrees below normal.
The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) currently shows that half of Iowa is abnormally dry, with a persistent area of moderate drought in northwestern Iowa. According to Iowa’s Drought Plan, most of the state’s drought regions experienced improving conditions in January except in areas of southern Iowa, where soil moisture conditions remained dry. Despite these widespread precipitation deficits, other factors improved or are consistent with average conditions, leading to the removal of previous drought watch designations through the Iowa Drought Plan.
The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center’s February outlook indicates an equal chance for above, below, or near-average precipitation across the entire state and an increased likelihood of below-average temperatures. The seasonal outlook suggests continued drought in far northwestern Iowa, and no drought development across the remainder of the state.
“January is climatologically the driest month of the year, and soil moisture deficits remain from months of drier-than-normal conditions. However, improved conditions, such as streamflow, aided in lifting all drought watches from the state. Seasonal drought outlooks indicate the continuation of a small area of drought in far northwest Iowa through April, and no indication of the development of drought for the rest of the state,” said Jessica Reese McIntyre, DNR Environmental Specialist.
For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, visit
www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
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.