After months and months of painful drought, are we starting to approach the light at the end of the tunnel here in the Brazos Valley? If the recent generous rain continues, as it has these past couple of weeks, then the answer is yes.

The latest Drought Monitor came out at 7:30am Thursday showing all the Brazos Valley in D1: Moderate Drought.

Moderate drought is considered to be the lowest level of drought with the next classification down begin just "abnormally dry."

Tuesday's soaking rains brought 2.38" of rain officially for Bryan / College Station -- setting a new daily record of rainfall for March 20th. Reports across the Brazos Valley ranged, on average, between two and three inches.

It is important to note that readings are taken at at 6am Tuesday mornings for the Drought Monitor to come out on Thursday mornings at 7:30am. Most of Tuesday's rain fell well after 6am, so there could be significant change in next week's drought status.

With 18.47" of rain falling for the year -- thus far -- 2012 is considered the second wettest start to a year, ranking only behind 1991. The total rainfall that fell in 2011 was just shy of 20" -- something that has almost been achieved early this year.

For more Drought Monitor information, click here.