While most of the region has been out of drought conditions in the weekly national report, some locations have been rated as abnormally dry; but the latest update shows continued improvement.

Just a slight portion of northeast Marion County remains on the U.S. Drought Monitor Report on its lowest category, otherwise, the vast majority of south central Iowa is at near normal conditions. Most of south central Iowa started the winter in drought conditions.

Recent rounds of snow and precipitation in March continue to improve the local situation, while much of northwest Iowa remains in moderate to severe drought. However, the wetter than normal stretch has slightly increased the river flooding risk in the latest and final Spring Flood Outlook for central Iowa from the National Weather Service — although widespread river flooding is still not expected locally.