Some improvements, but majority of region remains abnormally dry in latest drought monitor

After receiving some much-needed rainfall the past few days, some areas saw improvements in the most recent drought monitor.

>>RELEATED: It’s official: Multiple counties now considered in ‘moderate drought’

However, 98 percent of Ohio still remains in the abnormally dry range, according to the monitor released by the U.S. Drought Monitor Thursday.

Parts of Champaign, Miami, Logan, and Champaign counties are the only parts of the state that are not considered abnormally dry or in a moderate drought. Parts of those counties received the heaviest rain during Sunday’s severe weather outbreak and again on Tuesday.

>>Storm Tracking Alert: Strong to severe storms possible Thursday; Damaging winds, hail possible

Estimated rain totals were between 1 to 2 inches in those four counties.

Over 75 percent of the state is still in a moderate drought, including most of Clark, Clinton, Greene, Montgomery, Preble, and Warren counties.

Areas still in the moderate drought could see some additional relief in the coming days. Up to 1 inch of additional rainfall is possible in the area over the next five days.

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