Drought-stricken corn stalks have bent over in a field near Swisher in August. Iowa remains in a severe to extreme drought. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

The worst drought since 1988 hits Iowa, causing crops to shrivel and rivers to fall to historic low levels. Winter months’ temperatures are mild, as consecutive days without measurable snow in Cedar Rapids neared an all-time record by mid-December.

STORIES FROM THE YEAR:

• Nov. 24 — Iowa farmers will be ‘living rainfall to rainfall’
• Nov. 24 – Drought’s impact on Christmas trees won’t be felt for years
• Nov. 23 — Hay shortage causing Iowa farmers to seek alternate feed supply
• Nov. 22 — Iowa’s topsoil moisture worsens, livestock feeding on crop stubble
• Nov. 21 — Cedar Rapids may restrict water usage if drought persists
• Nov. 9 — USDA says corn, soybean supplies tight, prices to stay high
• Nov. 6 — Drought impact expected to hit groceries in January
• Oct. 19 — Canadian straw showing up at Iowa auctions, hay in short supply
• Oct. 19 — Drought in Iowa called ‘super slow-motion disaster’
• Oct. 18 — Recent rains improve Iowa drought conditions
• Oct. 16 — Drought-year harvest surprises some Iowa farmers
• Oct. 15 — Weather helping farmers prepare fields for 2013 crops
• Oct. 11 — Farmers advised to let drought-ravaged soil rest
• Oct. 11 — Corn, soybean prices soar on USDA production, yield report
• Oct. 5 — Persistent Iowa drought increases concerns over next year
• Sept. 27 — Value of good Iowa farmland rises, despite record drought
• Sept. 27 –Expect earlier ‘call of colors’ in Iowa
• Sept. 25 — Weather keeps early corn, soybean harvest on track
• Sept. 23 — Calm before the storm on food price front
• Sept. 20 — Iowa crops highly variable, Farm Bureau says
• Sept. 20 — Drought severity lessening in Iowa, other Midwest corn states
• Sept. 12 — Lower corn, soybean yields projected, prices to remain high
• Sept. 11 — Experts warn Iowans to expect more extreme weather
• Sept. 6 – Drought worsens; northwest Iowa enters most-severe category
• Sept. 2 — Highest cost of drought falls on taxpayers
• Aug. 30 — ISU experts say food price hikes likely will be delayed, gradual
• Aug. 16 — Drought leveling off in Midwest, forecasters say
• Aug. 10 — Iowa corn yield seen at 15-year low
• Aug. 7 — Some Eastern Iowa wells are comin’ up dry
• Aug. 6 – Stream flows bottoming out
• Aug. 3 — Iowa, Nebraska ethanol output cut amid drought
• Aug. 1 — USDA drought declaration offers assistance to Iowa farmers
• July 30 — Drought likely leading to early Iowa corn harvest, sharply lower yields
• July 28 — Some Iowa farmers turning to irrigation to help crops
• July 25 — 10 Iowa counties in USDA secretarial disaster area
• July 20 — Drought, grain prices crushing East Iowa livestock producers
• July 19 — All of Eastern Iowa now in severe drought
• July 19 — Dry weather leading to hay shortage, higher prices
• July 18 — Despite drought, University of Iowa Pentacrest grass stays green
• July 17 — Drought could hit livestock producers much harder than grain farmers
• July 16 — Iowa fire marshal warns of heightened fire risk
• July 12 — Drought tightening its grip on Iowa
• July 8 — Iowa corn faces critical stage during heat wave
• June 15 — More Iowa counties showing signs of moderate drought
• June 11 — Drought danger rises in Iowa
• June 7 — Farmers fret over high temperatures, low rain
• June 5 — Iowa remains dry, despite recent rain
• March 30 — Farmers expect to plant record corn, fewer soybean acres
• March 5 — Iowa topsoil moisture low; mildest heating season in 10 years
• Jan. 11 — Lack of winter so far a blessing, curse in East Iowa