AMES, I.A.(WNAX)- The southwestern parts of the US are stuck under a heat dome, with temperatures soaring over 115 degrees and major drought conditions.

Dennis Todey, head of the USDA’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames Iowa says there is some concern that could expand northward into the dry areas of the northern plains.

Todey says the region still has the warmer, drier parts of summer ahead.

Todey says they aren’t seeing consistent hints of any change in the current dry pattern through the end of the month.

The latest drought monitor shows severe conditions improving a bit, but the overall dry conditions spreading out across the region.