Rain over the past two weeks eased dry conditions over much of the state, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported. The area of the state classified as abnormally dry has dropped to 25 percent from 50 percent, the National Drought Monitor reported. That’s a significant improvement over one year ago when more than 75 percent of the state was abnormally dry. Slight drought conditions remain present in far northwest and eastern Iowa.

Moisture levels, streamflows and shallow groundwater conditions all have improved. Statewide, the average precipitation total was 2.39 inches, with temperatures averaging 4.5 degrees above normal.