DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Soaking rain across a large swath of the nation’s midsection has helped further alleviate drought conditions in some of the major crop-growing states, including Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Wisconsin, according to a weekly drought monitor. Small portions of Nebraska also saw improvement.

Snow in parts of Nebraska and heavy rain soaking Iowa have farmers now hoping for a dry spell to allow them to get into the fields for spring planting.