Even with recent rains, Decorah still has a precipitation deficit

Courtesy of National Weather Service La Crosse Office

Because of a dry fall and a less-than-snowy winter, Decorah was approaching drought status in March.

But Decorah weather observer Richard Bernatz says the city has received over seven inches of rain in March and April.  That has restored groundwater moisture and raised the level of the Upper Iowa River.

Still the area is not yet back to normal.  Bernatz says despite the seven inches of rain in the last two months, Decorah has a precipitation deficit of 1.11 inches over the last year.  That's not enough to put Decorah into drought status--but it does mean additional rain still would be appreciated.