DES MOINES — Autumn this year in Iowa has been cooler and wetter than normal, according to the latest Water Summary Update.
Temperatures for the fall months (September, October and November) averaged 49.3 degrees, or 0.9 degrees below normal, while precipitation totaled 12.33 inches, or 4.30 inches above normal.
"Despite November being drier than normal, the last 18 months in Iowa have been the wettest on record. Soil moisture and shallow groundwater look good going into the winter months,” said Tim Hall, DNR’s coordinator of hydrology resources.
Streamflow continues to be above normal for most of the state, while drought conditions are nonexistent. Nationally, there is very little drought across the country, with the exception being the four corners area of the southwest, east into Kansas, and parts of Texas.
For a thorough review of Iowa’s water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.
The report is prepared by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.