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Despite record rain totals in parts of Iowa, much of the state is still experiencing drought.
"We were certainly starting to feel dry after the first part of May. We are still just slightly below average by about an inch or so. A lot of that has to do with our deficit from winter as we are coming out of that," said National Weather Service Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff.
While the rain earlier this week helped push the state further out of drought, a warm and dry summer could cause much of the state to slide back into drought.
"This is much-needed rainfall. If you look at the central and north-to-south third of the state, it's been one of the top five driest Mays through the 18th. With these up to five-inch totals we've seen over the past two days, it's definitely helping stave off drought," said Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan.
Moderate drought remains in the northwest corner of the state, as well as a pocket in the southwest corner.
According to Hagenhoff, the heaviest rain fell in the corridor from south-central Iowa up through Des Moines and as far north as Ames. The Des Moines Metro received between three and a half and four and a half inches of rain from Monday into Tuesday morning.
"Out towards parts of central and eastern Iowa—Ottumwa, Cedar Rapids, Davenport—most totals are between one to two inches. So really, that heaviest corridor of rain went from south-central Iowa through Des Moines and up towards Ames, with lesser amounts to the east and west," Hagenhoff said.
She added that there are chances for additional showers across the state this week, but nothing as heavy as Monday’s rainfall.