Lincoln, NE (KICD)– There is no surprise that some continued worsening is being seen in drought conditions around Iowa with the lack of significant, widespread rainfall.

The latest USDA Drought Monitor released on Thursday shows the small spot of abnormally dry conditions in East Central Cherokee and West Central Buena Vista Counties that has been in place since those areas saw some heavy rain associated with thunderstorms now being downgraded to a D1 Moderate Drought.

The biggest change around Iowa in the last week is in the eastern part of the state where an additional twelve percent of the region falling into a Severe Drought taking the number to 30 percent of Iowa with such a designation.

Looking to the north, we continue to see abnormally dry conditions in parts of Southwest Minnesota with Southwest Nobles County in a moderate drought.

It is POSSIBLE that some of these conditions could improve over the weekend if the current forecasts hold onto the chance of the significant rainfall in parts of the region.