How recent dry months in Iowa could indicate drought problems next spring

At the beginning of the year, a severe drought that had lasted almost four years in the state of Iowa finally came to an end.

This was largely due to precipitation being nearly above normal month after month. In August, however, that water supply seemed to dry up, as Iowa recorded just under 3.25 inches of rainfall for the month, nearly an inch less than normal.

Except for August and February, precipitation amounts have been above normal in every other month this year. However, the recent lack of precipitation is leading to a return of unusually dry conditions in Iowa.

According to the Iowa DNR, this is OK for now, but could cause problems in the spring.

October 1st is considered the start of the water year each year. Traditionally, that's because rainfall after October 1st isn't really beneficial for the current year, but for the following spring. However, if we have a dry September and a dry October, the real impact won't be seen until the spring of next year. The challenge is that we're in a bind if we can't supply enough water to meet demand,” said Tim Hall, Iowa DNR Hydrology Resources Coordinator.

And looking ahead to the coming months, the Climate Prediction Center's forecast for September does indeed show below-normal trends. The same is likely to hold true for fall.

Fortunately, due to the drought in Iowa, no major restoration work is expected this month.

While this may be helpful for farmers preparing for harvest, it is crucial that temperatures continue to remain close to normal to prevent another bout of drought next year.