Rains during the month of October allowed drought conditions to improve across portions of Northeast Iowa. Rainfall for the month ranged from 2 to locally as much of 6 inches across the area allowing for a one to two category improvement in the drought classification. Enough rain was received across Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties for them to be removed from the severe drought classification. The remainder of northeast Iowa continues to be in a severe to extreme drought. The State of Iowa was on a pace to see the fewest tornadoes in almost 50 years. The state climatologist believes this is due to the drought that has kept thunderstorms and thus tornadoes out of the state.

Drought in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall amounts across Mitchell County averaged 2 to 3 inches during October. This was not enough rain for any change in the drought conditions to occur and all of the county remains in an extreme drought. River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal on the Cedar River along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 16-OCT-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall amounts across Allamakee County averaged 3 to 5 inches with local amounts topping 6 inches in the southwest corner during October. This was enough rainfall to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.

Drought in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall amounts across Clayton County averaged 3 to 5 inches with local amounts topping 6 inches in the northwest corner during October. This was enough rain for some improvement in the drought to occur. By the end of the month, no part of the county was considered to be in an extreme drought while the southern three quarters of the county continued to be in a severe drought. Improvements over the northern quarter of the county removed that area from the severe drought classification. River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal on the Turkey River along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in FLOYD, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall amounts across Floyd County averaged 2 to 3 inches during October. This was not enough rain for any change in the drought conditions to occur and all of the county remains in an extreme drought.  River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal on the Cedar River along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 30-OCT-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall amounts across Winneshiek County averaged 3 to 5 inches with local amounts topping 6 inches in the southeast corner during October. This was enough rainfall to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.

Drought in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall amounts across Chickasaw County averaged 2 to 4 inches during October. This was enough rain for some improvement in the drought to occur. By the end of the month, only the western quarter of the county remained in a severe drought. Improvements over the eastern three quarters of the county removed those areas from the severe drought. River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall amounts across Fayette County averaged 3 to 5 inches with local amounts topping 6 inches in the northeast corner during October. This was enough rain for some improvement in the drought to occur. By the end of the month, no part of the county was considered to be in an extreme drought while the southern third of the county continued to be in a severe drought. Improvements over the northern two thirds of the county removed those areas from the severe drought classification. River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in HOWARD, IOWA
From 01-OCT-12 00:00:00 to 31-OCT-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Rainfall amounts across Howard County averaged 2 to 4 inches during October. This was enough rain for some improvement in the drought to occur. By the end of the month, only the western quarter of the county remained in a severe drought. Improvements over the eastern three quarters of the county removed those areas from the severe drought. River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal along with deeper than normal ground water levels.