Rounds of rainfall across the region provided some relief to drought conditions across south central Iowa. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report shows most of Marion and Warren Counties south of Highway 92 downgraded to abnormally dry. Moderate drought remains in place throughout the rest of the region north of the state highway. However, the U.S. Climate Prediction Center expects dry conditions to persist in the near term, with warmer-than-average conditions and near normal rainfall expected in July.