Lincoln, NE (KICD)– Localized sections of Iowa are starting to see some improvements in drought conditions.

The latest Drought Monitor released Thursday morning by the National Drought Mitigation Center shows the northern half of O’Brien County now considered abnormally dry which is an improvement from a moderate drought a week ago.

The change joins Dickinson, Emmet, Northern Clay and Palo Alto Counties along with Eastern Osceola in the lowest drought concern category with a small portion of East Central Emmet County being noted as being around normal for moisture.

The rest of the local area remains unchanged from a week ago with Eastern Buena Vista and Western Pocahontas Counties in a Severe Drought and all other areas in a moderate drought.

Statewide, 99 percent of counties are at least abnormally dry with a small portion of the Des Moines metro being released from concerns along with Southern Ringgold County in Southern Iowa.