County finally cleared of drought status

The wettest start to a year since 2022 has helped propel Marion County out of drought, according to the latest data from the National Weather Service and U.S. Drought Monitor.

The entire county, portions of which had been listed in May as abnormally dry or under moderate to severe long-term drought, was cleared Thursday of being in any degree of drought.

The western third of the state and the state’s northern tier of counties remain listed as abnormally dry, with moderate to severe drought lingering in some northernmost counties.

So far this year, most of Marion County has received slightly above normal precipitation — up to two inches above the multi-year average of around 15 inches.

The area around Peabody and Burns has received as much as three to four inches more than normal while a small band generally from Lehigh to the north has received as much as one to three inches less than normal.

Soil moisture at depths to 16 inches was reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as good, in the 90th to 95th percentile across most of the county.

Statewide, winter wheat production was listed as 44% good and 7% excellent with 96% — slightly above average — headed. Coloring was at 53%, significantly behind last year but significantly above average. Maturity was 1%, well behind last year but near average.

Soybeans were rated 63% good and 9% excellent. Planting and emergence are ahead of last year.

Corn was listed as 55% good and 11% excellent, with 92% planted and 73% emerged, all about on track with last year and multi-year averages.