As the snow up north melted, a ton of extra water entered various Midwest waterways. We?ve also had various rainfall events to provide good moisture, but, despite all of that, some areas in Iowa are seeing an expansion of abnormally dry conditions. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan provided an update on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.
Glisan said that it?s not uncommon to see drought conditions expand even though there?s been rain.
As far as the Mississippi River flooding is concerned, Glisan said we?ve likely seen the worst of it already.
At the very least, the drier soil conditions in Iowa will help to absorb some of that flooding.
Looking at the current weather, Glisan said those excessively windy conditions are finally dying down.
Illinois has seen some significant dust storms from that wind, but Glisan said the Iowa soil is different enough that we shouldn?t see that issue here.
For more information, visit iowaagriculture.gov/climatology-bureau.
