With the significant amount of precipitation that has fallen in south central Iowa this month, drought conditions slightly improved in Warren County in the latest weekly update. 

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor Report, extreme drought conditions that existed in 100% of Warren County last week decreased to just under 84%. The western portion of the county is now facing severe drought, the third highest on the national scale. Just under half of Marion County continues to face extreme drought, while the rest of the county is still seeing severe drought conditions. 

Significant drought relief was seen in surrounding communities to the south and the west. After nearly 96% of the county was in extreme drought in last week’s report, all of Madison County now sits in severe drought. Lucas and Clarke Counties also saw significant relief. In Lucas County, extreme drought dropped to 43%, severe drought decreased to 81%, and the rest of the county is in moderate drought. In Clarke County, extreme drought dropped to 21%, severe drought decreased to 67%, and the rest of the county is in moderate drought. Jasper, Monroe, and Polk counties saw little to no change in this week’s report. 

According to the National Weather Service, dry conditions are expected through the middle of next week, with temperatures expected to reach the mid-30s to low 40s.