(Undated) -- Iowa's drought picture is worsening. This week's U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly all of Iowa as abnormally dry or in some form of drought. The northern half of the state, including most of central Iowa, is in moderate drought. Several northwest Iowa counties are in severe drought. There are chances of rain in western Iowa Friday. The National Weather Service in Des Moines says it's unlikely rainfall totals will be enough to erase the dry conditions. The dry conditions are a growing concern for corn and soybean growers, counting on timely rains for their crops.
Drought is also deepening in several upper Midwest states including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Northeast and northwest Nebraska are also experiencing dry condnitions.