(Des Moines, IA) -- This week's U-S Drought Monitor shows most of Iowa either abnormally dry or in some form of drought. Northwest Iowa has the driest conditions. The first of three spring flood outlook reports shows near normal, to below normal chances of flooding in Iowa. A dozen or more counties in northwest Iowa are in extreme drought. Parts of Woodbury and Monona counties have slipped into exceptional drought. Several counties in southwest and southeast county have slipped into moderate drought.
The first of three spring flood outlook reports shows near normal, to below normal chances of flooding in Iowa. The National Weather Service will issue it's next flood outlook February 24th.
The NWS reminds Iowans to continue monitoring weather and river conditions--as well as future outlooks--for any changes to the flood threat. Future weather--including amount, frequency and extent of precipitation as well as rate of snowmelt--can be big factors in any potential spring flood threat.