MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The latest data from the U.S. Drought monitor show that Minnesota is getting drier, especially southern Minnesota.

Nearly 63 percent of the state is rated as abnormally dry or in drought, up nearly 9 percentage points from last week. The southwest corner of the state and a portion of south-central Minnesota worsened from a severe drought rating to an exceptional drought rating.

Some parts of east-central and southeastern Minnesota, including the Twin Cities metro area, which had been rated normal, are now rated abnormally dry.

Much of northwestern Minnesota remains in a moderate to severe drought.