u.s. drought monitor

Despite all of our recent rains the U.S. Drought Monitor says much of Minnesota is still in a drought. The northern parts of Stearns and Benton counties, and a large area north of us are listed as in a "moderate drought".

New data are showing the first major improvement in Minnesota's drought situation since last fall. An updated map from the U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday rates two-thirds of Minnesota as still being in drought.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows conditions have grown slightly worse in Iowa and Nebraska, where much of the nation's corn is grown. The map shows the northwest corner of Iowa is now enduring an extreme drought, as are the east-central portion of the state and a section of southeast Iowa.