Substantial rain in May — following a wetter-than normal second half of 2014 — has greatly reduced the drought severity in Kansas.

The U.S. Drought Monitor now lists much of northwest Kansas between “abnormally dry” and “severe drought.”

In May of 2014, nearly the entire state was listed in the “severe” category, with large portions of western Kansas in “extreme” drought — the second most severe category.

Only about 7.5 percent of the state is now considered to be in a severe drought.