Drought conditions that began in late June continued through the summer and into October.  Very warm and dry weather that began in the spring continued through the summer.  Temperatures remained well above normal into August, but began to temper during the latter portion of the month.  Temperatures cooled in October with the month averaging near to a little below normal.  It was the first cooler than normal month in 13 months across the CWA.  More widespread rainfall began by the middle of the month with a fairly widespread event on the 13th.  The rapid deterioration of the corn and soybean crop that took place in July slowed as much of the damage had already occurred in July.  No significant damage occurred in September in spite of the dry conditions and early freeze across much of the state on the 23rd.  Harvest activities continued at a fast pace with nearly all activities complete by the middle of October.  This was three to four weeks ahead of normal.  Indications were that yields of the corn crop were around 140 bu/ac and 43.5 bu/ac for the bean crop.  These values were about 20% and 15% below normal for corn and beans respectively.  At the current price, the loss total was in excess of $2.6 billion.  By late September, the USDA reported that Secretarial Primary Drought Designations had been listed for all 51 of the counties in the Des Moines CWA.  The drought conditions continued through the month and into November as it will take many months to recharge the soil.  No significant damage occurred in October and it is unlikely that water restrictions would occur before the spring, thus this will be the final entry unless conditions worsen.

Drought in WEBSTER, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in DAVIS, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in MARSHALL, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in BLACK HAWK, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in BREMER, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in WINNEBAGO, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in DECATUR, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in APPANOOSE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in POCAHONTAS, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in POWESHIEK, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in WORTH, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in EMMET, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in ADAMS, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in POLK, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in RINGGOLD, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in WRIGHT, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in FRANKLIN, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in GREENE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in MONROE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in GRUNDY, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in PALO ALTO, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in GUTHRIE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in HAMILTON, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in HANCOCK, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in TAMA, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in HARDIN, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in HUMBOLDT, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in AUDUBON, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in BUTLER, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in TAYLOR, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CARROLL, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in JASPER, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CALHOUN, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CASS, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in BOONE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in SAC, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in UNION, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in KOSSUTH, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in STORY, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in WAPELLO, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in LUCAS, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CERRO GORDO, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in MADISON, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CLARKE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in MAHASKA, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in WARREN, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in CRAWFORD, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in ADAIR, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in WAYNE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in DALLAS, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Drought in MARION, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 13-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations