Drought conditions continue to worsen throughout south central Iowa, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report.
All of Marion County is now under moderate drought, with extreme southern portions of the county included in the severe category. Severe drought has also spread to all of Monroe and most of Lucas Counties, with all of Warren and Mahaska now in moderate drought as well.
Precipitation has been spotty in Marion County, with areas north of Highway 92 receiving 1-2” over the last week, but some areas, especially south of Knoxville, have seen less than .25” in that same time frame.
Friday morning (as of 8 a.m.) rainfall totals:
Pella (KNIA/KRLS) – .47″
Knoxville (KNIA/KRLS) – .43″
Lake Red Rock – .39″
English Creek near Knoxville – .57″
Des Moines River near Tracy – .66″
Cedar Creek near Bussey – .83″
Whitebreast at Melcher – .35″
Des Moines River at Swan – .23″

Additional rain is possible with rounds of scattered thunderstorms possible late this afternoon into the evening. Isolated, scattered storms may become severe, as a slight risk for severe weather has been issued east of I-35 by the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center.