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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Iowa

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Iowa using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Iowa. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Corn shows drought stress; soil is dry
64.7
of IA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Soybeans abort pods; corn test weights are struggling
  • Grasses are brown; more grass fires occur; burn bans are issued
  • Pond levels decline
31.9
of IA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Dryland corn has extremely low yields; commodity shortages are noted; livestock is stressed
  • Fire danger is high
  • Surface water levels are low; algae blooms increase; voluntary water conservation is requested
15.5
of IA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Pastures are dry; producers sell cattle; crops are tested for toxins; crops have pest infestation
  • Trees drop leaves; acorns are underdeveloped
  • Warm water leads to fish kills; streambeds are low to dry
1.5
of IA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Row crop yields and forage production have significant impacts
  • Extreme measures are taken to conserve water
  • Aquatic invertebrates in waterways increase
0.6
of IA
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Corn shows drought stress; soil is dry
64.7
of IA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Soybeans abort pods; corn test weights are struggling
  • Grasses are brown; more grass fires occur; burn bans are issued
  • Pond levels decline
31.9
of IA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Dryland corn has extremely low yields; commodity shortages are noted; livestock is stressed
  • Fire danger is high
  • Surface water levels are low; algae blooms increase; voluntary water conservation is requested
15.5
of IA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Pastures are dry; producers sell cattle; crops are tested for toxins; crops have pest infestation
  • Trees drop leaves; acorns are underdeveloped
  • Warm water leads to fish kills; streambeds are low to dry
1.5
of IA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Row crop yields and forage production have significant impacts
  • Extreme measures are taken to conserve water
  • Aquatic invertebrates in waterways increase
0.6
of IA
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Corn shows drought stress; soil is dry
79.7
of IA
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Soybeans abort pods; corn test weights are struggling
  • Grasses are brown; more grass fires occur; burn bans are issued
  • Pond levels decline
40.9
of IA
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Dryland corn has extremely low yields; commodity shortages are noted; livestock is stressed
  • Fire danger is high
  • Surface water levels are low; algae blooms increase; voluntary water conservation is requested
16.8
of IA
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Pastures are dry; producers sell cattle; crops are tested for toxins; crops have pest infestation
  • Trees drop leaves; acorns are underdeveloped
  • Warm water leads to fish kills; streambeds are low to dry
1.6
of IA
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Row crop yields and forage production have significant impacts
  • Extreme measures are taken to conserve water
  • Aquatic invertebrates in waterways increase
0.6
of IA
(D4)
579,137
people in Iowa are affected by drought
36
counties with USDA disaster designations
9th
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
9th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
View Conditions by County:

Drought in Iowa from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Iowa lasted 151 weeks beginning on August 9, 2011, and ending on June 24, 2014. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of September 25, 2012, where D4 affected 2.52% of Iowa land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (2000–present) depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country. Every Thursday, authors from NOAA, USDA, and the National Drought Mitigation Center produce a new map based on their assessments of the best available data and input from local observers. The map uses five categories: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to

Drought Resources for Iowa

Stay Informed: Local Drought Updates

Drought Alert Emails
Get email updates when U.S. Drought Monitor conditions change for your location or a new drought outlook is released.

Regional Drought Status Updates
NIDIS & its partners issue regional updates covering drought conditions, outlooks/forecasts, and local impacts.

Midwest & Missouri River Basin Drought Email Lists
Get regional drought status updates right to your inbox, as well as drought news, webinars, and other events for the Midwest and Missouri River Basin.

North Central U.S. Climate and Drought Summary and Outlook Webinars
This webinar series, which covers the region from the Rockies to the Great Lakes, includes a summary of past and current conditions, potential and ongoing impacts across sectors (e.g., agriculture, water resources, navigation), and outlook information.

Get Involved: Submit Local Drought Impacts

Drought in your area? Tell us how drought is impacting your community by submitting a condition monitoring report. Your submissions help us better understand how drought is affecting local conditions.