A lack of precipitation this fall now forces Washington County back into drought conditions, in a region of the U.S. predicted to see short-term impacts.

This week’s update of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows all of Washington County experiencing abnormally dry conditions. The county is situated in an area drawn to expect impacts over a period of less than six months to agriculture and grasslands. Drought conditions are currently seen largely in the eastern half of Iowa. State Climatologist Justin Glisan shared in the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report unseasonably dry conditions persisted last week with most stations reporting no precipitation. Below normal precipitation was reported for Washington in November, with about half an inch recorded compared to an average of 2.23 inches. Little precipitation is currently predicted for the next week in Washington.