Corn Belt sees little change in drought conditions as harvest comes to an end

The latest drought monitor released Thursday sees some stagnancy in drought conditions across the Corn Belt.

Map of the Midwest drought for 11-18-21
Photo: U.S. Drought Monitor

Iowa

Iowa's overall drought acreage did not see much of a change this week, but the severity of the drought conditions decreased. Some of the moderate drought conditions in the middle of the state shifted to abnormally dry condtions. About 42% of the state remains in some type of drought condition, concentrated primarily in the northeastern counties.

map of iowa drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that Iowa topsoil moisture levels were rated 1% very short, 10% short, 81% adequate, and 8% surplus. Iowa subsoil levels were rated as 6% very short, 25% short, 66% adequate, and 3% surplus.

Illinois

Illinois saw no significant change to its drought acreage or drought dispersion, with less than 1% of abnormally dry area added to the warning, bringing the total to 3%. Just 12% of the state remains under drought conditions, concentrated in the north.

a map of illinois' drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that Illinois topsoil moisture levels were rated 0% very short, 5% short, 84% adequate, and 11% surplus. Illinois subsoil levels were rated as 1% very short, 5% short, 90% adequate, and 4% surplus.

Nebraska

Nebraska's drought stayed consistent this week with an area of extreme drought still concentrated on the western edge and moderate to severe areas all over the state. 69% of the state is still in a drought condition.

a map of nebraska's drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that Nebraska topsoil moisture levels were rated 8% very short, 27% short, 64% adequate, and 1% surplus. Minnesota subsoil levels were rated as 11% very short, 36% short, 52% adequate, and 1% surplus.

Indiana

Indiana is clear of all drought conditions. 0% of the state is classified under a dry condition.

a map of indiana's drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that Indiana topsoil moisture levels were rated 1% very short, 4% short, 73% adequate, and 22% surplus. Indiana subsoil levels were rated as 1% very short, 4% short, 75% adequate, and 20% surplus.

Minnesota

Minnesota's extreme drought acreage was reduced by about half, going from 7% to 3% this week, and losing about 6% of drought conditions across the state. 72% of the state remains in a dry condition warning; only the southwest corner of the state is clear.

a map of minnesota's drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that Minnesota topsoil moisture levels were rated 2% very short, 12% short, 77% adequate, and 9% surplus. Minnesota subsoil levels were rated as 5% very short, 21% short, 68% adequate, and 6% surplus.

Kansas

Kansas' overall drought acreage and average drought severity went up this week. The western edge of the state in particular saw the abnormally dry and severe drought conditions worsen. About 31% of the state is under a dry condition warning.

A map of Kansas' drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that Kansas topsoil moisture levels were rated 13% very short, 22% short, 62% adequate, and 3% surplus. Kansas subsoil levels were rated as 14% very short, 24% short, 59% adequate, and 3% surplus.

South Dakota

South Dakota saw no change in drought conditions this week. 80% of the state is currently under a dry conditions warning.

A map of South Dakota's drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that South Dakota topsoil moisture levels were rated 9% very short, 23% short, 63% adequate, and 5% surplus. South Dakota subsoil levels were rated as 12% very short, 33% short, 53% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Ohio

Ohio currently reports no active drought conditions, a change from last week where less than 1% of the state was in an abnormally dry condition.

A map of Ohio's drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that Ohio topsoil moisture levels were rated 0% very short, 4% short, 71% adequate, and 25% surplus. Ohio subsoil levels were rated as 0% very short, 6% short, 71% adequate, and 23% surplus.

Missouri

Missouri saw an increase in drought acreage this week, with more of the southern tip of the state reporting abnormally dry conditions. 13% of the state reports abnormally dry conditions.

A map of Missouri's drought for 11-18-21
U.S. Drought Monitor

The November 15 Crop Progress Report indicated that Missouri topsoil moisture levels were rated 1% very short, 4% short, 88% adequate, and 7% surplus. Missouri subsoil levels were rated as 1% very short, 10% short, 87% adequate, and 2% surplus.

Read more about the growing season and harvest.

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