After the entire state improved to drought-free conditions in late August, over half of Iowa, including the entire KCII listening area, is now categorized as abnormally dry according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Drought numbers slowly creeped up over the course of September, ending the month with 30% of the state in abnormally dry conditions. That spiked to 50.4% this week, with 100% of Washington, Johnson, Keokuk, Louisa, Henry, Jefferson and Iowa Counties being abnormally dry.

In September, according to the National Weather Service, the City of Washington received 1.7 inches of precipitation. That amount is nearly two inches below the normal amount for the ninth month of the year.

Last week, the Hawkeye State also saw its first signs of moderate drought since heavy rainfall improved conditions in late July, with portions of Scott, Clinton and Jackson counties along the Mississippi River having the driest conditions in the state.

The numbers are a significant improvement from this time last year, when over 90% of the state was abnormally dry and over half of Iowa was in a moderate drought.