Photo: US Drought Monitor
(Undated) -- This week's U-S Drought Monitor map shows some improvement in Iowa and Illinois. Recent widespread rains have brought relief to some of the dryest areas in the northwest and southeast. Most of the state, however, remains in near drought or some level of drought. Most of Illinois remains abnormally dry, but this week's map shows improvement in southern Illinois and part of northern Illinois, with many areas being completely drought-free.
Extreme drought remains in part of northwest Iowa's Woodbury County as well as in several southeast Iowa counties. A large portion of eastern Iowa and western Iowa remain in severe drought. The rest of the state is abnormally dry or in moderate drought.
The National Weather Service says some of the improvement may be shortlived, due to a stretch of very hot, windy weather that is expected statewide starting Sunday. Temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s are expected. Triple-digit temperatures are also possible, along with heat index values over 100 degrees.
Forecasters say conditions will be humid and windy, and rain is not expected.