Drought conditions have eased in Hall County, thanks to historic rainfall amounts Monday and Tuesday.

Hall County has gone from moderate to severe drought to conditions ranging from abnormally dry to moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s latest weekly report.

This week’s rain helped improve drought conditions statewide, particularly in long-suffering Middle Georgia.

The North Georgia mountains, as well as coastal areas and much of South Georgia, have normal conditions, according to the report.

The Drought Monitor releases updates every Thursday based on data collected through 7 a.m. Tuesdays.

Gainesville set a record Tuesday for the most rainfall ever reported locally in a 24-hour period, according to the National Weather Service in Peachtree City.

A cooperative observer using a National Weather Service gauge at Lake Lanier recorded 6.6 inches falling between 8 a.m. Monday and 8 a.m. Tuesday.

The weather service also reports that, according to the rain gauge at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport in Gainesville, some 6.7 inches of rain fell Monday and early Tuesday, bringing the total since Sunday to 7.39 inches.

A chance of showers returns to the forecast Saturday night through Sunday, according to the agency.

Otherwise, expect sunny to mostly sunny skies through Wednesday with high temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the low 80s.

Lake Lanier, the primary benefactor of huge rains in the area, is now at 1,063.04 feet above sea level, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Lanier’s full pool is 1,071 feet.

Because the lake is less than 1,063 feet above sea level, Lanier is operating under the corps’ Low Water Action Plan.

Dock permits, for example, won’t be considered until the lake level shows it can stay consistently above 1,064 feet.