This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor Report continued to show improvement of conditions locally. Last week’s rain was fully incorporated in the latest update, with removed abnormally dry conditions in all of Warren County and most of Marion County south and west of the Des Moines River. Moderate drought continued mainly in extreme northeastern Marion County along and north of the South Skunk River basin. Well-above average temperatures are in place with highs in the 60s through Tuesday. The next best chances for rainfall return to the region by the middle of this week.