While most of the region received a shot in the arm of precipitation Thursday, the overall trend is that dry conditions are spreading again across the area and the state. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report shows abnormally dry conditions have returned to most of Marion and Warren Counties, and drought is starting to develop in the southeastern part of Marion County and the surrounding areas south and east. Thursday’s one-to-three-plus inches of rain were not included in the most recent report, but will be in next week’s update. Drought is expected to spread fairly rapidly in the month of June, as according to the outlook issued by the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, above average temperatures and below average precipitation is expected through the end the month.

Thursday rain amounts:
Lake Red Rock – 1.79″
Knoxville – 1.87″
Pella – 1.29″
Bussey – 1.66″
Ackworth – 3.2″
St. Mary’s – 3.06″