Based on the latest Water Summary Update, November has been one of Iowa’s driest months on record. Statewide, the preliminary average precipitation for November was a mere 0.38 inches; that is 1.44 inches below normal. These dry conditions have worsened the already troubling drought situation in the state’s southern half, as classified by the current U.S. Drought Monitor, designating areas under moderate to severe drought. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Hydrology Resources Coordinator Tim Hall says, “We had hoped that November would continue the wetter-than-normal conditions from October, but unfortunately just the opposite happened. A return to below-normal rainfall is not what we needed. Some locations in the state received no rain at all in November, and there were no locations that came close to normal rainfall for the month. As we wind down the fall and head into the winter months, we need normal to above-normal rainfall. Once the ground freezes up, we have to wait for spring rains.” Despite a brief respite in October with above-average rainfall, the precipitation for the year remains significantly below average. The report is prepared monthly by staff from the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department. The full report is included below.
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