Drought expands in Iowa.
OTTUMWA — The U.S. Drought Monitor had no good news for Iowa on Thursday.
The region in extreme drought expanded and the portion of the state in all forms of drought skyrocketed.
That shot up to 70.67 percent this week, a huge increase.
Most of that was in eastern Iowa, where storms several weeks ago had brought some relief.
Nearly two inches of rain should have fallen by mid-September.
More than 60 percent of Missouri is now in drought, along with virtually all of Illinois.
The chances of breaking the drought prior to next spring’s planting season are dwindling.
September averages 3.31 inches of rain, but much of that takes place in the earlier parts of the month.
But, with the sole exception of a 50-50 chance on Saturday night, the chances are less than a coin toss for each day.