While the heat has been more bearable recently, a lack of significant rainfall since early July has much of the area in worsening drought conditions.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Report, most of Marion and Warren Counties are now considered to be in “severe” drought and most of the surrounding area all remains in “moderate” conditions.

Severe drought is defined by several characteristics related to declining soil moisture content, stream flows, and general precipitation. The following can be generally expected if it lasts (as per the United States Department of Agriculture):

-Crop or pasture losses likely
-Water shortages common
-Water restrictions imposed

On the same day the issue was updated, many residents in the city of Pella and north and east of town received a welcome dose of rainfall, with some rain gauges in the Tulip City’s limits receiving close to an inch of rainfall in the afternoon.

However, the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center is not optimistic for any improvement soon, as most of their long-term outlooks favor warmer and drier than normal conditions over the next several weeks and for their seasonal preview for the upcoming fall. Afternoon temperatures will heat up again this weekend into the low-to-mid 90s, before highs roll back into the 80s for most of next week; however, no significant rainfall is in the forecast.