Dry weather late in July worsened drought conditions across much of Iowa, prompting state officials to issue a new drought watch for southwestern Iowa while continuing the existing one in the northwest. According to the latest Iowa Water Summary Update, Iowa averaged 4.50 inches of rain in July, 0.33 inches above normal, but precipitation varied sharply by region. Central and northeastern Iowa received two to three times their usual monthly rainfall, while northern, western and southern areas recorded substantial deficits. Nearly 45 percent of Iowa was classified as abnormally dry at month’s end, with nearly 30 percent in moderate drought, the report said. The Water Summary Update is prepared monthly by technical staff from Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR—Hydroscience and Engineering, and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.