Drought in Howard, Iowa

Extreme (D3) drought persisted across all of Howard County through December. Monthly total rainfall near 0.5 was 1 below normal, exacerbating the long-standing deficit of 8 to 12 since June 1st.

Long-standing abnormally dry conditions from April 2023 through December resulted in no changes to severe (D2) and extreme (D3) drought for northeast Iowa in December. From initial severe drought (D2) issuance in June 2023 to the onset of December, 10 to 15 of total rainfall was 8 to 14 below normal. December total rainfall was near 1 for most of northeast Iowa, outside of two select areas along and south of the Winneshiek and Allamakee county border where near 1.5 fell though the month. These higher amounts were near monthly normal while the rest of northeast Iowa was 0.5 to 1 below normal. Also, well above normal temperatures, 10 degrees above normal monthly average, perpetuated ongoing soil moisture concerns.