Drought conditions have expanded in Iowa over the last week with nearly 63% of the state abnormally dry. When it is abnormally dry corn shows drought stress and soil is dry. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, statewide 32.6% is in moderate drought and almost 13% is in severe drought. Severe drought can cause dryland corn to have low yields, livestock can be stressed, the fire danger is high, and algae blooms increase.

The severe drought area is in western Iowa, although abnormally dry conditions are spreading to eastern Iowa. Over one-million Iowans live in the drought areas. At this time last year, 23.5% of Iowa was abnormally dry.