Drought likely to worsen in Iowa this winter

Iowa's drought is worsening and isn't expected to rebound this winter unless a weak La Niña brings needed precipitation in December through February.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor released Oct. 17 shows most of Iowa in moderate drought with portions of 28 counties in west central, far northwest and northeast Iowa in severe drought. Southern and southeast Iowa are considered abnormally dry.

The forecast across the Midwest is for much of the same, said Austin Pearson, climatologist at the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, Indiana...