DROUGHT MONITOR
During the month of August the US Drought Monitor showed some areas of improvement, and some areas of
degradation. Areas of southwest and central Iowa that received above normal rainfall for the month saw an
improvement in drought classification. However, areas of southeast Iowa that were very dry during the month
saw drought conditions deteriorate. Areas of Lee, Van Buren, and Tama Counties saw two drought class
degradation in the last month, with a large area of D2 – Severe Drought existing in over 20 counties in southeast
Iowa. An area of D3 – Extreme Drought continues to be present in northwest Iowa, covering nearly all of
Plymouth County as well as portions of surrounding counties. More than 62 percent of the state is now
designated in some form of dryness or drought, with over 40 percent rated as D2 Severe Drought or worse.
These overall conditions are similar to those of one year ago.
Drought conditions are much worse to the west in Nebraska and Kansas. In those states, areas of D4
Exceptional Drought are present, including an area of D4 just to west of the Missouri River in eastern and
northeastern Nebraska. All of Nebraska and 95 percent of Kansas are designated in some form of drought of
dryness.

SUMMER MONTHS’ SUMMARY
For climatologists the summer season includes the months of June, July, and August. For the 2022 summer
season, temperatures averaged 72.6 degrees, which is 1.2 degrees above normal. Precipitation totaled 10.26
inches or 3.30 inches below normal. A warmer summer occurred last year while the summer of 2020 was drier.