Drought conditions persist throughout Iowa, and continue the long streak of active drought.

State Climatologist Justin Glisan says that Iowa has been in drought for 170 weeks. He explains this has really exhausted the moisture profile of the ground, causing plants to have a rough time. Glisan tells Raccoon Valley Radio how this has affected crops.

“Drydown has been rapid in the fields with corn and soybeans. With the drought conditions, we’re concerned in some parts of the state of stand issues on corn. And what stand issues are, any kind of wind or meteorological event can push that corn over, given the weakened state with lack of moisture. But overall, I’ve been on several calls with our field agronomists and producers and farmers across the state, I think we’re going to be pleasantly surprised across much of the state with the yields that we see, given how dry conditions have been.”

Glisan mentions that along with crops maturing faster, other plant life is maturing at a faster rate in the cycle. He adds that this is leading to tree leaves to change color a little sooner, and for a shorter period of time.