Drought conditions continued over all of northwest Iowa in December. Although precipitation was generally normal to above normal...the amount of excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. The effects of the drought on farmers and ranchers continued, with the poor condition of winter wheat, and the low stock of winter feed for livestock. Hunting was also affected according to conservation officers, with low pheasant numbers, and disease in the deer population. There were few remaining water restrictions given the much lower water usage compared with the summer and fall, but the low soil moisture levels presented a bleak outlook for the next spring and summer without a very significant increase in precipitation over the winter. Drought was generally listed as continued severe to extreme for the area.

Drought in OSCEOLA, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in PLYMOUTH, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in SIOUX, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in WOODBURY, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in BUENA VISTA, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in CHEROKEE, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in CLAY, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in DICKINSON, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in IDA, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in LYON, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.

Drought in O'BRIEN, IOWA
From 01-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions continued, despite normal to above normal precipitation, as the excess over the low winter normals was not enough to relieve the dry conditions. Aside from the effects on winter wheat and available winter livestock feed, hunting was hampered due to reduced pheasant population and disease in the deer population. The future effect of the lack of soil moisture on next spring and summer's farming was feared if the dryness were to continue. Otherwise, few new effects of the drought were noted during the month due to the seasonally low water usage and need.