DES MOINES — Persistent dry weather is worsening drought conditions across parts of Iowa, with state officials keeping a drought watch in place for northwest Iowa and adding a new watch for the southwest region.
The latest Iowa Department of Natural Resources Water Summary Update shows moderate drought expanding across northern and western Iowa following a dry finish to July.
Nearly 45 percent of the state is now considered abnormally dry, while almost 30 percent is classified in moderate drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.
For Northern Iowa, the most immediate concern remains the northwest portion of the state, where a drought watch continues as soil moisture declines and longer-range forecasts offer little assurance of substantial relief.
The deterioration follows a spring in which NIT reported that rainfall had improved drought conditions across much of Iowa while northwest Iowa remained under a drought watch.
Conditions have since turned drier again.
Although Iowa averaged 4.50 inches of precipitation during July — 0.33 inches above normal statewide — the rainfall was distributed very unevenly.
Central and northeastern portions of Iowa received two to three times their normal July rainfall in some areas, while northern and western portions of the state missed out on much of that moisture.
That uneven pattern allowed drought conditions to expand even during a month when the statewide rainfall average technically finished above normal.
NIT also reported in June that dry conditions had expanded across much of Northern Iowa as concerns grew about water availability and water quality.
Soil moisture decreased across much of Iowa during July, although streamflow levels remained largely within normal ranges.
The state’s drought plan divides Iowa into five drought regions.
Drought watches are now in effect for both the northwest and southwest regions, while the remaining three regions continue to carry a normal designation.
July was also unusually hot.
The statewide average temperature reached 76.5 degrees, which was 3.1 degrees above normal.
State climatological records place July 2026 at approximately the 25th warmest July in 154 years of recordkeeping.
“July brought sharp contrasts in precipitation across Iowa, with heavy rain in central and northeastern Iowa while northern and western regions continued to remain dry,” DNR Environmental Specialist Jessica Reese McIntyre said.
“A drought watch remains active in the northwest alongside a new watch for southwest Iowa. As the state transitions into its drier season, forecasts favor drought persistence rather than relief.”
The outlook heading deeper into August provides additional reason for concern.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is forecasting an increased chance of above-normal temperatures across Iowa during August.
The precipitation outlook provides no strong signal either way, with approximately equal chances of above-normal, below-normal or near-normal rainfall.
More concerning for northwest Iowa is the seasonal outlook extending through October.
Current projections indicate existing drought conditions in western and northwestern Iowa are likely to persist and could expand across the northwestern quarter of the state.
That could have implications for crops, livestock producers, shallow groundwater supplies and other water users if substantial rainfall fails to materialize.
Iowa experienced a very different picture just over a year ago. NIT reported in July 2025 that late-June rainfall had left Iowa nearly drought-free.
The latest report shows how quickly conditions can reverse when extended heat combines with uneven rainfall.
State officials will continue monitoring precipitation, soil moisture, groundwater and streamflow levels as Iowa moves through August and toward what is typically a drier portion of the year.