Nearly half of Midwest still ‘abnormally dry’

Multiple soaking rainfalls or snow melting over thawed soil will be necessary to improve the areas still struggling with drought, the report states. (Credit: iStock)

The NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) recently released its latest drought status update for the Midwestern U.S., which showed 49% of the the region – which includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio – is currently classified as “abnormally dry.” There was a 28% decrease in drought in the region from eight weeks prior, in late November 2022, but 19% of the area remains in a state of drought.

Northwest Iowa is still struggling with extreme to exceptional drought, according to the update, and areas in Minnesota and Michigan are still experiencing moderate to severe drought. Northwest Iowa, Minnesota and western Wisconsin have seen above-average rainfall since December 1, 2022, but frozen ground can make it difficult for this water to penetrate and replenish soil ahead of the spring growing season.