Above-average rainfall this month has left Kansans optimistic — not to mention soggy — but indicators still point to an enduring drought.

“Things are looking a lot better than they did this time last year,” said Tom Lowe, environmental scientist with the Kansas Water Office in Topeka.

“But we still have long-term effects of the drought,” he added. “Stream flow and lake levels and so on.”

Although its verdict didn’t include last week’s rain, the Palmer Drought Index showed northeast and northwest Kansas still in a moderate drought for the week ending April 19.

“A lot of folks criticize the Palmer as slow to react when drought begins and too quick when declaring drought at an end,” Lowe said. “But looking at relative conditions around the state, northwest and northeast are still drier than other parts of the state. South central is actually kind of drenched.”

The index might reflect a different story after a week of rain.

As of 7 p.m. Thursday, Lawrence had received 0.95 inches of rain during the past 24 hours, said Steve Kays, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Topeka.

Although Kays did not have local numbers available, as of 4 p.m. Thursday, Topeka had seen 5.64 inches of rain in April, more than 3 inches above normal for the month.

And the recent rain hasn’t come quietly, either.

A tornado warning was issued Thursday for southern parts of Douglas County; it was later canceled.

The warning, also for Franklin and Osage counties, was issued at 5:23 p.m. A funnel was spotted about seven miles northwest of Ottawa, accompanied by tennis ball-sized hail.

A severe thunderstorm watch was also in effect for much of eastern Kansas until 8 p.m., although Douglas County missed the worst of the storm. The National Weather Service reported small hail and heavy rain in this area.

Although most of the rain should be over by dawn today, Kays said, a chance of rain will return Sunday as well as Tuesday and Wednesday.