As winter approaches, drought conditions across the state of Iowa remain largely unchanged.

According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Report, extreme southern Marion County, most of Lucas and Monroe Counties, and portions of Polk, northwest and southeast Jasper, and Mahaska Counties are abnormally dry — all other areas locally are considered in normal moisture conditions.

Rounds of rain and snow in late October and early November largely removed drought conditions locally. The driest parts of Iowa remain west of I-35, especially in the northwest corner of the state, where severe to extreme drought conditions persist.

After near record warmth for the majority of the week, more seasonal conditions return, with the best chances for precipitation coming late Monday into Tuesday, and lesser chances overnight Saturday.