The U.S. drought picture has drastically changed over the past six months, but dry conditions continue to grip the western corn belt. Meteorologists say there’s a stark difference in planting conditions in the west and east this year.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows after an El Nino winter and active early spring weather pattern, drought coverage is now at its lowest level since the spring of 2020.

In early April, more moisture fell across the Mississippi Valley to the East Coast. A strengthening low-pressure system and trailing cold front brought six to 18 inches of snow across the Upper Midwest and northern New England. Rain also saturated soils to the south.

Read more about the changing drought outlook here.