Extreme to exceptional drought abated slowly to the moderate to severe category over most of northwest Iowa during April. Near to a little above normal precipitation was not enough to end the long standing drought entirely, given the long term dry soil conditions that carried over into the month. Accordingly, the area was still deemed very sensitive to the potential of below normal rainfall during the planting and growing seasons. However, the severity of the drought generally decreased. The decrease was less along the Missouri River near Sioux City due to continued low flows and low runoff expectations, and some of this area still had extreme drought. No new effects of the drought were noted during the month.

Drought in LYON, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in O'BRIEN, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in BUENA VISTA, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in OSCEOLA, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in PLYMOUTH, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in CHEROKEE, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in CLAY, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in SIOUX, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in WOODBURY, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated a little during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming severe to extreme. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation, although low Missouri River flows tempered the improvement. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in DICKINSON, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.

Drought in IDA, IOWA
From 01-APR-13 00:00:00 to 30-APR-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Long term dry soil conditions at the start of April abated somewhat during the month, with extreme to exceptional drought becoming moderate to severe. The improvement was due to normal to above normal precipitation. No new effects were noted, but the area remained sensitive to possible worsening again of conditions, depending on precipitation during the planting and growing seasons.