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Seasonal Drought Outlook shows good news for regions of the Corn Belt

A climatologist says the new Seasonal Drought Outlook shows much-needed relief for many areas of the Corn Belt and Delta.

Brian Fuchs is with the National Drought Mitigation Center. “We’re expecting some improvement taking place and even in some portions of the Eastern Corn Belt like Indiana (and) Ohio. We’re expecting the drought that we’re currently seeing to be removed.”

He says there will also be improvements in parts of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and eastward. “Quite the contrast from where we’ve been developing here over the last several months where we’ve had a lot of dryness and drought developing, especially in that Delta region. But then over the next couple months, we’re expecting that pattern to change.”

But, Fuchs says, Eastern Nebraska and Northwest Iowa may not see much improvement. “Where you know going on three years now of drought in that region. And even with the outlet going through the end of January. Now that area is looking to persist with drought.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published its three-moth outlook that’s valid through January on Thursday.  

Brian Fuchs: