While most of the region has been in severe drought conditions for most of the year, the latest update released Thursday shows improvements.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Report, Marion County saw a decrease in the estimated population affected by severe drought from 100% to just over 79%. In Warren County, that number decreased from just shy of 97% to just over 43%. Neighboring communities to the south and east also saw relief in the latest update. The majority of Clarke, Mahaska, and Monroe counties fell below severe drought conditions, with moderate drought impacting those areas. Other nearby communities saw little to no change in this week’s report, with severe drought still impacting the majority of Jasper and Lucas counties, and moderate drought affecting the majority of Madison and Polk counties.

According to the National Weather Service, additional periodic chances for rain are forecast into the middle of next week.