Moderate drought conditions have expanded throughout most of the state, including south central Iowa in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report. Marion and Warren Counties are now under drought, and severe conditions have expanded into portions of Polk and Jasper Counties, as well as extreme northwestern Warren County. August was one of the driest months of precipitation on record, as was the past summer across south central Iowa. Every county in Iowa is at least rated as abnormally dry, with 83% of the state in a drought. Some relief may be on the way, as strong thunderstorms are possible overnight Saturday across the northeast half of the state that may bring heavy rainfall primarily north and east of the Des Moines River, and additional chances for widespread precipitation are in the forecast early next week.