As cooler temperatures finally make their way to Iowa, drought conditions in the southeast region continue to grow in size and severity.

Exceptional drought, the highest intensity on the scale used by the National Drought Mitigation Center, was previously seen in Iowa County. This exceptional drought has now crept into northern Johnson County as well.

After being under severe drought for much of the summer, more than 90 percent of Washington County has been upgraded to extreme, just one level below exceptional. For the first time all year, extreme drought or worse can be seen in all seven counties in the KCII listening area. Extreme drought can be seen in more than 53 percent of Henry County, 45 percent of Keokuk County, and small sections of northern Jefferson and Louisa counties. Only 11 percent of the area is reported as under moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions, the two lowest classifications on the intensity scale.

To view the drought outlook in your county, as well as the rest of the State, click here.