Drought — Mitchell, Iowa

2023-10-01 to 2023-10-31 · Mitchell, Iowa

Event narrative

Long-standing drier than normal conditions, comprised of 8 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), resulted in continuation of extreme drought (D3) across Mitchell County through October. While monthly rainfall totals were only an inch below normal, the long standing deficit resulted in the extreme drought (D3) persisting. The ongoing rainfall deficit from initial severe drought (D2) issuance on August 1st to the start of October was 3 to 5 inches below normal.

Wider weather episode

Despite multiple rainfall events through October, there was not much change to overall drought severity. Monthly rainfall totals of 1 to 4 inches ranged from slightly below normal in Mitchell, Howard, Floyd, and Chickasaw counties to slightly above normal in Winneshiek, Fayette, Clayton, and Allamakee counties. The drought improved slightly in far northeast Iowa from extreme (D3) to severe (D2) by the end of October. Elsewhere, while ongoing below normal soil moisture became 10 to 20 percent above normal through the middle of the month, the long-standing drier than normal conditions resulted in extreme drought (D3) persisting. From the start of June through September, near 10 inches of total rainfall was 6 to 10 inches below normal.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1143831. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.