Lincoln, Nebraska — The map released this (Thursday) morning by the US Drought Monitor shows -all- of Iowa is again experiencing some level of drought.
Last week’s map showed about two-and-a-half percent of the state was still in the normal category, but even that’s gone now. The new map indicates about 16 percent of Iowa is abnormally dry, all in south-central Iowa, while almost two-thirds of the state is in moderate drought. That leaves about 19 percent that’s in severe drought, with large patches of that category in northwest, west-central, and northeast Iowa. As yet, none of the state is in the worst two levels of extreme or exceptional drought. A steady, soaking rain would be welcome, and not hail or high winds, but parts of Iowa may see all of them later today (Thursday). National Weather Service meteorologist Rod Donavon says the majority of Iowa is quite parched, so the expected downpour will be a refreshing change of pace.
While some areas are 50-50 for rainfall, parts of eastern Iowa are closer to a 100-percent chance for rain, though he says the quantities that are expected vary.
Dry conditions are expected to return for the weekend with highs in the 60s. The latest 6 to 10-day outlook shows a chance for more precipitation late next week.
We do have a chance for rain in the Sheldon area, but it’s a slim chance. There’s a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and this evening. The forecast also calls for a 30 to 40 percent chance of showers on Tuesday night and Wednesday. The 6-to-10-day outlook also calls for above normal precip in our area.
