Even though we have seen bits of precipitation around the state over the past few weeks, the U.S. Drought Monitor has remained status quo for the state of Iowa. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said snow doesn?t provide a lot of moisture, so the amount we did get didn?t do much to change the moisture deficits.
At this point, Glisan said it looks like the ground is going to freeze before we make any real progress on the drought conditions.
This is also the third consecutive year that we will be seeing a La Nina weather pattern. Glisan said this should cause an above average snowpack and below average temperatures.
While we have seen some drastic temperature swings recently, Glisan said this has still panned out to be a fairly normal fall.
Glisan said this normalcy is much better to see than the numerous other black swan events we?ve seen in the past couple of years.
Looking ahead to the end of winter and the beginning of spring, Glisan said there are indications that this La Nina pattern will translate to ENSO-neutral.
For more information, visit iowaagriculture.gov/climatology-bureau.
