Ongoing abnormally dry conditions resulted in extreme drought (D3) encompassing nearly all of northeastern Iowa at the start of September. Highly variable monthly rainfall totals, ranging from 1 to 6 inches, mostly fell during the latter half of the month. With a very dry start to the month, rainfall totals neared 2 inches below normal, resulting in exceptional drought (D4) for far northeast Iowa. Broadcast media reported heightened drought impacts across northeast Iowa compared to neighboring areas, resulting in stunted and below average crop yields. A series of storms during the latter half of the month provided heavy rain across northeast Iowa, easing the single week of exceptional drought (D4). Highest recorded 24-hour rainfall totals, reported on the morning of the 23rd, included 3.26 near Decorah (Winneshiek), 3.25 in New Hampton (Chickasaw County), and 3.15 in Waukon (Allamakee County). This slightly reduced drought severity, but nevertheless extreme drought (D3) conditions persisted through the remainder of September for nearly all of northeast Iowa. This brought drought longevity to 7 (Howard County) to 15 (Allamakee County, Clayton County) consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2) conditions.

Drought in ALLAMAKEE, IOWA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing extreme drought (D3), comprised of 7 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2), worsened to exceptional drought (D4) for most of Allamakee County through the middle of September. By September 11th, under a quarter of an inch of rain fell across Allamakee County, more than 1.5 inches below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moistures neared 50% of normal. By the middle of the month, all of Allamakee County was enveloped in exceptional drought (D4). A series of storms provided 3 to 6 inches of rainfall during the second half of September, about 1 to 4 inches above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in removal of exceptional drought (D4) by the end of September, but extreme drought (D3) persisted.

Drought in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing extreme drought (D3) persisted through Chickasaw County, worsening to exceptional drought (D4) in the northeast part of the county by mid-September. By September 11th, less than a quarter of an inch of rain had fallen across Chickasaw County, which was more than 1.25 inches below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moistures reached 50 to 70% below normal. Farmers reported very poor conditions in southwestern Chickasaw and an earlier than normal harvest time. A series of storms provided up to 5 inches of rainfall during the second half of September, nearing 3 inches above normal in spots for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in removal of exceptional drought (D4) by the end of September, while extreme drought (D3) persisted county-wide.

Drought in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing extreme drought (D3) persisted across all of Clayton County and worsened to exceptional drought (D4) across the northeast part of the county by mid-September. Highly variable rainfall of a tenth of inch in the north to 1 inch in the south of Clayton County through September 11th was 0.5 to 1.5 inches below normal during this time. The resultant topsoil moistures were 50% of normal. A series of storms provided 1 to 3 inches of rainfall across during the second half of September, up to 1 inch above normal for the time period. The above normal rainfall resulted in removal of exceptional drought (D4) by the end of September, replaced by persistent extreme (D3) and severe drought (D2). This marked 11 consecutive weeks of at least severe drought (D2) in Clayton County.

Drought in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing extreme drought (D3) expanded across all of Fayette County by the end of September. Monthly rainfall totals near 3 inches were about 1 inch below normal. Resultant topsoil moistures were 50% below normal. Far southern Fayette County remained in severe drought (D2) through the middle of the month, only to be upgraded to extreme drought (D3) by late September due to continued below normal rainfall.

Drought in FLOYD, IOWA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing extreme drought (D3) persisted through September for all of Floyd County. Highly variable monthly rainfall totals, from 1 inch in the west to 4 inches in the east were up to 2 inches below normal. Resultant topsoil moisture content bottomed out in the middle of the month to near 70% below normal.

Drought in HOWARD, IOWA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing extreme drought (D3) worsened to exceptional drought (D4) for most of Howard County through the middle of September. By September 11th, under a quarter of an inch of rain fell across Howard County, more than 1 inch below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moisture was 50 to 70% below normal. A series of storms provided up to 4 inches of rainfall during the second half of September, 1 inch above normal for the time period. This above normal rainfall resulted in removal of exceptional drought (D4) by the end of September, while extreme drought (D3) persisted county-wide.

Drought in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing extreme drought (D3) persisted through Mitchell County, worsening to exceptional drought (D4) for some through the middle of September. By September 11th, under a quarter of an inch of rain fell across Mitchell County, more than 1 inch below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moisture was 50 to 70% below normal. A series of storms provided up to 3 inches of rainfall during the second half of September. This rainfall removed the exceptional drought (D4) by the end of September, while extreme drought (D3) persisted county-wide.

Drought in WINNESHIEK, IOWA
From 01-SEP-23 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-23 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Ongoing extreme drought (D3) worsened to exceptional drought (D4) for nearly all of Winneshiek County through the middle of September. By September 11th, up to a quarter inch of rain fell across Winneshiek County, up to 1.5 inches below normal for the time period. The resultant topsoil moisture was 50 to 70% below normal. A series of storms provided 3 to 6 inches inches of rainfall during the second half of September, up to 3 inches above normal in spots during this time. This above normal rainfall resulted in removal of exceptional drought (D4) by the end of September, while extreme drought (D3) persisted county-wide.