Despite Iowa being one of two states in the Midwest still showing areas of extreme drought, the percentage of land affected has shrunk significantly with last month’s snowfall.

Iowa, Johnson, and Washington counties are the only three in the KCII listening area currently experiencing extreme drought. This is the second-highest level of intensity according to the National Drought Mitigation Center. More than 78% of Johnson County has been classified as extreme, followed by Iowa County at 44%, and Washington County at just 3%. More than 90% of Washington County was under extreme drought at the end of 2023.

Elsewhere, Keokuk County is seeing 52% of its area under severe drought, one level below extreme. A majority of Jefferson, Henry, and Louisa counties, meanwhile, are in moderate drought or better. While drought conditions are trending in the right direction, there is no significant precipitation in the forecast for at least a week and a half.