U.S. Drought Monitor charts improvements after significant rain

The U.S. Drought Monitor saw overall improvements in the last week in some drought-stricken areas. They came after significant rainfall across the Great Plains, Midwest and parts of the West.

Heavy rainfall over the eastern half of Montana and northern Wyoming helped ease drought conditions there while conditions in the Southwest and portions of the Pacific Northwest continued to deteriorate. Experts say above-average temperatures in the Southwest likely played a role.

The Great Plains and portions of the Midwest, despite improvements from rainfall, did see temperatures above average for the period. Alaska saw improvements as well, as precipitation levels were above normal in the southeastern portion of the state.