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A new report from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows the areas of the country afflicted by drought are receding. A 1.2% drop in covered area from last week brings the total down to 57.64%. Unfortunately the emerging trend indicates areas less drought-stricken are improving, while the most severely affected parts of the country are stagnating.
In Iowa, only 1.2% of the state is in exceptional drought. Parts of Lyon, Sioux, Plymoth and Woodbury counties in northwest Iowa are still classified as under a D4 drought.
A figure of 57.64% drought coverage six months after the peak is no understatement, but USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says the drought was nowhere near setting an all-time record.