Jonesboro, AR – JonesboroRightNow.com – A steady, soaking rain moved across Northeast Arkansas on Saturday, bringing welcome relief to an area that has been dealing with significant drought conditions.

According to data from the Jonesboro Municipal Airport’s automated weather observation station (AWOS), about three-quarters of an inch of rain had already been recorded by midday, with more expected before the system moves out. Update: 1.04″ total at Jonesboro Airport when rain ended Saturday.

Radar shows an additional band of rain stretching across southwest Arkansas and moving northeast, expected to push through the region later today. The rain should gradually taper off by Saturday night, clearing the way for a much brighter Easter Sunday.

The rainfall is especially important for a region that has been running well below normal precipitation levels. Some drought monitoring reports indicate parts of Northeast Arkansas are as much as 25 inches behind typical rainfall totals.

The recent dry stretch has also contributed to several days of intense, wind-driven dust storms across the region this past week, reducing visibility and creating hazardous travel conditions. Saturday’s rain is expected to help settle that dust and improve air quality.

In addition, burn bans have been in effect across all area counties due to the dry conditions. This round of rain could help ease those restrictions, though officials will determine in the coming days whether conditions have improved enough to lift the bans.

For local farmers, the timing could prove beneficial.

Many producers have only recently begun working their fields in preparation for planting season. A small number have already started planting rice, while others are expected to begin in earnest next week. The added moisture should help improve soil conditions as planting ramps up.

After the rain moves out, conditions are expected to improve quickly. Easter Sunday is forecast to bring sunny skies and a high in the mid-60s — a welcome change following the soggy start to the holiday weekend.

For now, though, the focus remains on the rain — a long-awaited and much-needed boost for both the land and those who depend on it.