Recent rains improve drought across the region

Thanks to some significant persistent rainfall this past week, drought conditions have improved across a large chunk of western Kentucky and parts of southeast Missouri. 

That's according to the latest weekly edition of the USDA's drought monitor map.

Two weeks ago, much of the southern half of Kentucky and most of northwest Tennessee were experiencing extreme drought conditions -- level 4 out of 5. As of this week, nearly all of those regions have dropped to level 3 severe drought conditions. Southern Illinois continues with moderate drought or abnormally dry conditions (levels 2 and 1).

The improved soil moisture comes with the past week's widespread amounts over 2" from the bootheel of Missouri and across western Kentucky. Some localized rainfall was up to 6" in pockets.

Extreme drought is now confined to 5% of our area, down from 24%. 

Significant long term deficits remain though, with many areas running 10 to 15" below normal rainfall since November 1st. 

On the Net:

USDA drought monitor webpage