The latest U.S. Drought Monitor reports shows an expansion of both dry conditions and drought throughout south central Iowa.

While many areas in the region have received isolated storms over the past week, most of south central Iowa remains at a precipitation deficit. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says little relief is in sight from dry, hot conditions, with little rain in the long-term forecast.

“Weather wise, we are looking for more of the same for the foreseeable future, especially for southern Iowa,” he says. “The further south you get in the state, the more warm and dry things look to be here over the next week or so.”

According to the latest state crop report, most of the corn and soybean crops remain in fair condition or good condition. However, when comparing the soybean ratings for mid-July among the past 24 seasons in Iowa, only four years are rated worse than 2017 (2001, 2008, 2012 and 2013). Over 85 percent of south central and southeast Iowa’s topsoil is rated as dry or very dry.