Drought in Howard, Iowa

Extreme (D3) drought persisted across Howard County through January. While up to 1.5 of monthly total liquid precipitation was near normal, the long-standing abnormally dry conditions persisted. The area was still 10-12 below normal since June 1st, 2023.

Long-standing abnormally dry conditions from April 2023 through January 2024 resulted in no changes to severe (D2) and extreme (D3) drought for northeast Iowa in January. From initial severe drought (D2) issuance in June 2023 to the onset of January 2024, 10 to 20 of total rainfall was 8 to 14 below normal. Multiple storms grazed northeast Iowa counties and resulted in highly variable monthly precipitation totals. Highest monthly snowfall totals near 40 with a liquid equivalent of 4 fell along the Mississippi River and were 2 above normal. Lowest monthly snowfall totals of 5 to 10 and total liquid equivalent of 0.5 to 1.5 were near to below normal in counties west of the Mississippi River. Besides one week of well below normal temperatures, overall monthly temperatures were well above normal, including multiple days of 10 degrees or more above normal. These warm conditions quickly melted the snowpack and perpetuated ongoing soil moisture concerns.