Rowan County is no longer in a moderate drought but remains below normal precipitation levels, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update.

The latest update places the entirety of Rowan in an abnormally dry condition. Previously, all but the eastern tip of Rowan was classified as being in a moderate drought.

Regionally, Iredell County is split down the middle between a moderate drought and abnormally dry condition. Cabarrus, Davidson, Davie and Stanly counties are all classified as abnormally dry. The moderate drought that previously extended into Rowan now covers a triangle shaped region that begins in Surry County, extends South to Anson County and West to Macon County.

The latest drought monitor update is from Sept. 8. It was released on Sept. 10.

Data from the National Weather Service still shows some area of Rowan as significantly below normal precipitation amounts. A square-shaped region between Cleveland and Salisbury is 12 to 16 inches below normal precipitation levels to date this year.

Another square shaped region in the Mt. Ulla area is also 12 to 16 inches below normal precipitation levels this year.

In the previous seven days, National Weather Service data shows an area east of Spencer and east of China Grove and Landis as receiving the most rain — between two and three inches — in Rowan County.

A large swath of land in western Rowan has received the lowest rainfall total — between .25 and .5 inches — in the previous seven days.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.