Rain brings drought relief to some areas

While drought still covers a large portion of the United States, beneficial rains finally brought improvement to a significant area, U.S. scientists said. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration reported heavy and welcome rain, mostly from the remnants of Hurricane Isaac, fell on much of the Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys in the last two weeks. More than 5 inches of rain were recorded in parts of Arkansas, Missouri, eastern Kansas and Illinois, NOAA reported, with as much as 10 inches in some isolated locations. Cooling temperatures in the next three months will mean surface water loss to evaporation will be reduced, scientists said, and rainfall predicted at a more moderate rate over a longer period of time should recharge soil moisture efficiently. However, NOAA said, a large area covering the central and southern Plains, the central and northern Rockies, the central Intermountain West and much of California, is expected to see drought conditions persist.