(Des Moines)--Iowa experienced a wetter than average August overall, but drought conditions persist in the northern and western parts of the state, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
An area of severe drought that appeared in western Iowa during August has kept the drought watch active in northwestern Iowa and triggered a new drought watch for central Iowa.
Statewide precipitation totaled 4.79 inches during August, which is 0.66 inches above normal. However, most areas of the state saw near- to below-normal rainfall, with northwest Iowa experiencing deficits ranging from 1.00 to 3.00 inches.
In the KILR listening area, eastern portions of Emmet and Palo Alto along with almost all of Kossuth County were in the D-1 or moderate drought category. The west portions of Emmet and Palo Alto counties and all of Clay and Dickinson counties were in the D-0 or abnormally dry category.
