A wet spring continues to soak soil across much of the Midwest, causing the prolonged drought to retreat westward.

Sections of central Iowa, southeastern Minnesota and western parts of Wisconsin and Missouri have seen notable improvement in drought conditions. And According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s May 7 update, portions of southeastern Minnesota, including Mower County all the way to western Freeborn County, are no longer considered in a drought.

Furthermore, it shows the drought has subsided for nearly two-thirds of Iowa, most of Missouri and Arkansas.

West of those states, drought remains. Portions of western Minnesota are still labeled in severe drought.

A smaller portion of western Nebraska is in extreme or exceptional drought and southwestern Nebraska improved slightly.

The soil moisture is good news for corn growers who are now dodging rain storms to get seed in the ground. Many southeastern Minnesota farmers have yet to begin planting, however, and hope to get into the fields by next week.

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.