(Undated) -- Recent rains provided some relief, but all of Iowa remains either abnormally dry or in some level of drought. This week's U-S Drought Monitor Map shows to areas in northwest, western and southeast Iowa in severe or extreme drought. There was improvement in western, northeast and eastern Iowa compared to last week.
The National Weather service is predicting generally cooler conditions and partly cloudy skies for the rest of this week. A few thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, especially in the afternoon and early evening. Forecasters say temperatures will be warmer net week, and hot conditions are possible mid-next week with heat index values over 100 possible.