Despite thunderstorms bringing some much needed rain to the area late Tuesday night, drought conditions continue across the Midwest.

Gage County Extension Educator Nicole Stoner says Gage County and the surrounding area is very dry but in better shape than other parts of the state…

"We aren't even in the worst part of it in Nebraska. There are parts alot higher in that drought level than we are".

Speaking on KWBE’s Beatrice Today earlier this week Stoner says the drought monitor map shows conditions vary thru out Gage County…

"Northern Gage County is in the severe drought level. The mid-section of Gage County or most of Gage County is in that moderate drought. And the southwest corner is in abnormally dry. They have gotten more rain in the southwest corner as they have gotten a little bit more rain according to the drought monitor. We are in the oranges and there are part of Nebraska that are in the reds...really reds..... so those are areas that are really facing drought conditions."

Stoner is encouraging homeowners to keep watering their lawns, shrubs, trees and plants as we move into the winter months…

"You want to make sure that your plants are well watered going thru the fall and into the winter. And if we see a winter like last year continue that watering thru the winter months as well".

Thunderstorms late Tuesday night brought rain, winds and pea size hail in parts of Gage County.