Iowans can officially stop looking at the drought meter daily. For those of us who pay attention to the weather, it would seem that there was an abundance of precipitation in April and state climatologists confirm that as fact.
This past month where we experienced wet days and cool temperatures, the average state precipitation was nearly 4 inches which compares to the 30 year statewide average of about 3 ? inches.
Even those areas of South Central Iowa including those counties bordering Monroe county, who have been experiencing mild drought conditions for the past 18 months, now have seemingly sufficient supplies of water and the livestock ponds are filled to the overflow tubes.
Iowa is showing no form of any drought or dryness according to the latest Water Summary Update.
So with the abundance of rain in April, all areas of the state have sufficient supplies of water and moisture levels on the surface and below ground. This should set the stage for excellent planting and growing conditions.
Looking at the forecast for the summer months is anybody?s guess. Forecasters predict that temperatures will be a little higher than normal and less precipitation than average is expected through this time period.
