Drought Information Statement for Central Iowa 
Valid November, 16, 2023
Issued By:  NWS Des Moines
Contact Information:  nws.desmoines@noaa.gov
This product will be updated December,14, 2023 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/DMX/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements.  

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought conditions worsened across portions eastern and southern Iowa this week.

Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of Eastern into South Central Iowa.
D2 (Severe Drought): Surrounds the D3 area and extends across much of Southern into West Central Iowa.
D1 (Moderate Drought) and D0 (Abnormally Dry): The rest of the state not already covered by D2, D3  or D4 conditions.

Recent Precipitation
30-day precipitation totals were below normal for much of the state except for small portions of the northwest. 
The largest deficits occurred in west central into southwest Iowa with many areas seeing less than 25 percent of normal rainfall.    

Summary of Impacts

Hydrologic Impacts 
Many river basins across eastern and southern Iowa are at flows far below normal.  

Agricultural Impacts
Harvest is winding down across Iowa with more than 90% of both corn and soybeans harvested. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
A few burn bans remain in effect, mainly in west central Iowa.  

Other Impacts
Most of Iowa is experiencing drought conditions and low streamflows.  Conditions are expected to persist into the early winter.   Water restrictions are in effect for a growing number of communities. 

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Precipitation threat increases into early next week across Iowa.  However, amounts generally appear to be a quarter inch or less with highest amounts across southern Iowa. 

Long-Range Outlooks
Drought conditions are expected to persist  across Iowa through the end of November.