Drought — Mitchell, Iowa

2023-12-01 to 2023-12-31 · Mitchell, Iowa

Event narrative

Extreme (D3) drought persisted across Mitchell County through December. Monthly total rainfall near 1 was slightly below normal, exacerbating the long-standing abnormally dry conditions of 10 to 14 below normal since June 1st.

Wider weather episode

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.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1153308. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.