Abnormally dry conditions have now spread to Marion County, with the majority of Iowa reporting drought in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report. A largely dry summer has started to stress some crops locally, and soil moisture levels have become drier than normal — this comes after near record wet conditions kicked off 2020. Abnormally dry conditions persist in all of Warren, Jasper, Lucas, Poweshiek, and Monroe Counties, and the vast majority of Mahaska County — with most of Polk County north and west of Des Moines in moderate-to-severe drought.

No significant rainfall is in the forecast over the next seven days, and late summer heat returns to the region as well, which will likely worsen drought conditions across south central Iowa. Daytime high temperatures will reach in the low to mid 90s starting Saturday and continuing through Thursday of next week. Stay tuned to 92.1 KRLS for the latest weather information.