Drought Conditions Not Really Improving Too Much

The good news is that the drought across the Midwest, especially Iowa and Illinois, is not getting any worse.  The bad news is that it's really not improving much either.

In the first five days of October, 0.83" of rain fell at the Quad City International Airport in Moline, Illinois.  Since then, only 0.11" has accumulated and we're running below average on precipitation for October 2013.

Across Iowa, 89% of the state is still experiencing "abnormally dry" conditions, compared to 92% last week. 

68% of the state is still in a "moderate drought" (71% last week).  A "severe drought" is still affecting 35% of Iowa and 2% is still experiencing an "extreme drought".

In Illinois, 84% of the state is still "abnormally dry", 39% is still under a "moderate drought" with 16% at "severe drought".

Rainfall amounts into the weekend don't look too impressive.

CBS4 Meteorologist Anthony Peoples