GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Last week's rain did little to ease worsening drought conditions across West Michigan, an updated report shows.

The drought monitor update released Thursday shows worsening drought conditions, especially north of Grand Rapids where late-September soaking rains were largely absent.

Severe drought now encompasses much of the US-10 corridor, including Ludington, Big Rapids and Mount Pleasant. Much of Ottawa County also remains in severe drought. Much of West Michigan is in a moderate drought, though Kalamazoo and Battle Creek are only designated as abnormally dry.

A dry, quiet pattern has been in place in West Michigan for nearly four months now, allowing rainfall deficits to grow. If it weren't for last week's soaking rains, the deficits would be much larger.

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