After several days of above average temperatures and minimal rainfall, several portions of southeast Iowa are beginning to face abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions.

In the last week, moderate drought conditions have grown to 69.73 percent of the land in Keokuk County and 67.66 percent of Jefferson County. Lesser affected counties include Washington at 5 percent and Louisa at 7.49 percent.

With warmer temperatures expected to continue, the monthly drought outlook from the National Weather Service labels the eastern half of Iowa as “drought development likely” for the month of June. Dependent on rainfall, these dry conditions have the potential to intensify and expand rapidly.

For more information regarding drought conditions in the state of Iowa, click here.