Another burst of rainfall across the area this week will continue to help what has been a multiple-year drought throughout the state, but there will still be work to do long-term to solve deeper issues with dry conditions.

State Climatologist Justin Glisan says an active April into now mid-May has provided significant drought relief statewide, and several inches of needed precipitation. While the national monitor has shown those strides, Glisan says four years of less-than-average rainfall for most Iowans means many communities remain behind, especially when looking at how water behaves deeper below the soil at the surface.

Additional chances for precipitation continue Thursday and again late this weekend into early next week. Hear more about the long-term climate outlook for the region on today’s In Touch with South Central Iowa.