Iowa Experiences Worst Drought in a Decade Amid Intense Heat

The drought situation in Iowa intensified last week due to persistent high temperatures and insufficient rainfall, marking the state’s most severe drought since March 2013, as reported by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Last week’s temperatures in Iowa averaged around 10 degrees above the usual, with rainfall being only one-fifth of the expected amount.

Starting Saturday, a prolonged hot and dry spell is anticipated, with temperatures in some regions approaching 100 degrees, as per the National Weather Service. Currently, about 80% of Iowa is facing some level of drought, with 18% undergoing extreme drought, the second highest of four classifications. Northeast Iowa has been particularly affected, with areas of extreme drought tripling in size within a week, impacting roughly two dozen counties. Comparatively, this time in the previous year, 40% of the state was in some degree of drought, with only 2% classified as extreme.