OTTUMWA —
The rains Iowa has needed for months are finally starting to make a difference in the soil conditions.
The weekly crop condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 60 percent of topsoil in Iowa is "very short" of moisture. That actually represents an improvement.
How dry has it been? Seventy percent of subsoil in the state is still considered "very short" of moisture.
It's all too late for the state's corn crop, though. Fifty-one percent of the crop rates as poor or very poor, a slight decline since last week's report. Soybeans benefitted, though, with the first statewide improvement in seven weeks.
But even the rain has been short of what would be considered normal, according to State Climatologist Harry Hillaker.
"The statewide average precipitation was 0.44 inches or a little less than one-half of the weekly normal of 0.96 inches. This was the eighth consecutive drier than normal week for Iowa," he wrote.
The rain has returned to Iowa in sufficient amounts to reverse one trend. When July arrived, none of the state's counties were under burn bans. Well over half were under bans by the end of the month.
Now, some of those bans are being rescinded. Marion County residents saw their ban dropped on Monday, following a damp weekend.
Southeast Iowa
Rains boost soybeans statewide
- Southeast Iowa
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In fan fiction, your favorite characters do what you want them to
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VIDEO: Orlando shootout tied to Boston bomb suspect
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Okla. officials vow not to quit looking until everyone is found
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Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
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Where to get the best deal on beer, haircuts, movies
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VIDEO: Tornado survivor's missing dog found during TV interview
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Okla. front pages capture tornado aftermath
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Corn planting soars on break in the weather
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VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
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69-year-old leads deputies on high speed chase
A homeless man driving a stolen vehicle May 15 in Appanoose County at 2:30 a.m. in an attempt to elude law enforcement rammed the pursuing patrol car and is now facing five class D felony charges. Roy Steed Cope, 69, has been charged by the Appanoose
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