The USDA’s Drought Monitor shows most of Marion County is under a moderate drought condition. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says Marion County is in better shape agriculturally than some areas listed as abnormally dry, which is a less severe designation that moderate drought. He says in east central Iowa in areas facing abnormally dry conditions, they are also facing incredibly low subsoil moisture. He says those areas have seen more rain, but when their crops roots reach the subsoil, they won’t have the moisture needed for normal growth. Hillaker says even if we see more rain in the future, it would be difficult for moisture levels to catch up to the evaporation rate.