Substantial relief from drought conditions was reported following last week’s rain on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report.

Marion County and most of Warren County have been downgraded to abnormally dry conditions after most of south central Iowa saw around 3 to 4 inches of steady rain from Labor Day through September 11th.

Drought has been downgraded to moderate in northwest Warren and most of Polk and Jasper Counties, and abnormally dry conditions persist in the rest of south central Iowa.

Seasonably warm conditions are expected after a brief cooldown continues through Sunday with highs in the low 70s this weekend and warming up back into the 80s early next week. However, no significant chances of rain are in the long range forecast, as sunny and clear skies are expected to last through the end of the month.