(Undated) -- Recent rains have improved the drought picture slightly in Iowa and Illinois. Nearly all of Iowa remains in near-drought or drought, but the severity has eased. A large part of northwest Iowa remains severe drought. The rest of the state is either in moderate drought or is abnormally dry. A part of south central Iowa is now drought-free.
There's been little change in the drought picture in Illinois. Nearly all of of Illinois is either abnormally dry or in some level of drought. Most of northern Iowa is in either moderate or severe drought.
The next chance for rain is this Saturday. Forecasters say, however, rain totals are expected to be light, less than a quarter of an inch in the region.