Drought conditions improve across the Midwest, aided by substantial precipitation including near-record July rainfall in Iowa.

Cool and dry conditions will give way to a warm harvest with equal chances for above or below normal precipitation, according to the latest North Central U.S. Climate and Drought Outlook presented Aug. 21.

Missouri’s State Climatologist Zack Leason said the fall-like temperatures that moved in this week will linger in the short term before giving way to warmer weather during...