The U.S. Drought Monitor shows parts of the Ozarks now at Exceptional, or the highest level of drought measured by the monitor.
The Exceptional area covers western Taney County including the Branson area in Missouri as well as most of Stone County and southeastern Barry County. The area includes most of Table Rock Lake.
The Exceptional level also covers northwestern Carroll County in Arkansas around Eureka Springs.
For the rest of the area, Extreme Drought covers most of the Missouri Lakes Region while the Harrison area remains at a Severe Level with other portions of Arkansas including the Buffalo National River area remains Abnormally Dry.
The current round of showers, which has deposited several inches of rain over part of the region, will end Friday with no rain in the forecast for the next week.
While the rain has helped, area officials are continuing to warn about outdoor burning due to the dry conditions that will return once the area has dried out from the precipitation.
