Washington, DC — The latest USDA Drought Update is out for Thursday, March 12th. Not much has changed across the KICD listening area, as we continue to deal with D1 (Moderate Drought) conditions across much of northwest Iowa. That includes Osceola, Dickinson, Emmet, O’Brien, Clay, Palo Alto, and Cherokee counties, along with about 90 percent of Buena Vista County shaded in D1.

The far southern portions of Buena Vista and Pocahontas counties are listed as D0 (Abnormally Dry).

Most of central and far northeastern Iowa remain drought-free, while southeastern Iowa appears to be taking more of a hit, with some areas of D2 (Severe Drought) continuing to expand.

West of Sioux Falls, across the Missouri River into far northeastern Nebraska, D3 (Extreme Drought) conditions are now showing up — a new development in this week’s USDA report.