Drought monitor says conditions improve nationally, worsen on small scale

Areas rated to have exceptional drought declined for the sixth straight week in the continental U.S. while localized drought conditions intensified for some areas in the Midwest and West, according to an August 15 U.S. Drought Monitor report.

The amount of the country in exceptional drought is now the lowest it has been since July 17, 2012.

The western corn belt has seen an increase in land under moderate drought conditions including Missouri, Nebraska and Idaho.

Residents in a patch of California are experiencing extreme drought. It is the largest area afflicted with extreme drought since 2009. California water managers have plenty of water to compensate for the drought in urban areas, though rural agriculture will likely see adverse effects.