Spencer, IA (northwestiowanow.com) — The latest USDA Drought Monitor update was released this week.

Our far northern counties—Osceola, Dickinson, and Emmet—are classified as D0 (Abnormally Dry). Palo Alto County is also in that D0 zone.

Roughly 95% of O’Brien and Clay counties are in D0 as well, but parts of both counties are now entering D1 (Moderate Drought) in their far southern portions.

Nearly all of Cherokee and Buena Vista counties are experiencing D1 (Moderate Drought).

In the latest update, we also see that some areas of Lyon and Sioux counties have now reached D1 as well.