Drought conditions persist through much of the West. Some improvement has been realized into the high Plains with recent rainfall.

Above normal temperatures with very little rain failed to provide any drought relief to the West. Only isolated thunderstorm activity was noted the past several days, mainly in the mountains. This has done little to reverse drought conditions.

Active wildfires are still reported in Alaska, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Washington.

Cooler than normal temperatures and several periods of thunderstorms, some producing torrential rainfall has lead to improvement in drought severity into the Plains. This was particularly true through parts of South Dakota, Nebraska and into northern sections of Kansas.

Even with this beneficial rainfall, long-term rainfall deficits mean that this region is still classified as having moderate to severe drought conditions.

The weather outlook over the next week spells little in the way of relief for the drought-stricken West. Above normal temperatures with little in the way of widespread rainfall are expected. One area of hope, however, will be into Arizona and New Mexico within the coming week or so. Monsoonal moisture will slowly begin to increase into this area.

The Plains will also see a continued chance for scattered rain and storms over the next week. This is especially true of the eastern Dakotas, Minnesota and into Nebraska and Iowa.

This rainfall will likely lead to improving drought conditions into those areas.