After many weeks and — in some areas months — of dry weather and varying degrees of drought, Iowa’s seen several days of steady rain. Lawns that had turned brown are starting to green up again and state climatologist Justin Glisan says the rainfall is in the form that is most beneficial.

While western Iowa has been in the worst shape with drought, that’s the area that’s gotten the least rain, while eastern Iowa is being drenched.

Both Ames and Marshalltown received roughly half an inch of rain yesterday.

The rain should continue for many areas of the state at least part-way into the weekend, with dry weather expected next week. Longer range, Glisan says the rest of the month is likely to be cooler and drier than normal, which would be a benefit for farmers and the harvest.