(Des Moines)--Dry conditions in late May resulted in degraded conditions across much of the state, according to the latest Water Summary Update.

A drought watch remains in effect for the northwest part of the state as drought persists, while the rest of Iowa’s drought regions maintain a normal designation. Most areas of the state saw conditions worsen over the month, though recent rainfall led to the elimination of the remaining severe drought pockets in the northwest. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, roughly three-quarters of the state is now classified as abnormally dry or worse.

Locally, Emmet, Clay, Dickinson, Palo Alto and Kossuth counties are all in the D-1 or abnormally dry category.

Iowa’s preliminary statewide precipitation totaled 2.78 inches for May, which is 2.06 inches below normal. A vast majority of national weather reporting stations noted precipitation deficits, with the driest conditions stretching across portions of eastern Iowa.