DES MOINES, Iowa—Drought conditions have continued to improve across Iowa due to rain that fell near the end of April. Significant improvement was scene over Northwest Iowa with a sizable portion of the area now considered to drought free. There was a slight decrease in the Extreme Drought conditions in Eastern Iowa and declines were reported in both Severe and Moderate Drought conditions. Overall, drought conditions in the state dropped to 49.9%. Locally, Boone, Story, Greene, Hamilton and Dallas Counties remain at 100% Moderate Drought as of the beginning of this week.

U.S. Drought Monitor Map 04/30

U.S. Drought Monitor Map 04/23

(contributed information, NDMC, NOAA, USDA)