Dry land and fieldSnowfall in higher elevations in the Northwest, along with soaking rains from Tropical Storm Eta in parts of Florida highlight the major precipitation events in the last week, according to Thursday’s U.S. Drought Monitor update. Moderate precipitation fell in a few spots around the High Plains and Midwest, slightly easing drought conditions in places like eastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. Otherwise, a mostly dry week saw pockets of drought conditions advance in places like central Illinois, northwestern Iowa and central South and North Dakota. Extreme or exceptional drought are the most common categories from western Nebraska to California, Thursday’s Drought Monitor map shows, a growing threat to winter grazing stocks and fire danger as red flag warnings go into effect in parts of western Nebraska and eastern Colorado. See more from the latest Drought Monitor map.