The rain we've gotten over the past 10 days (total 2.31")along with more moderate temperatures have definitely helped. Lawns & roadside vegetation no longer look stressed. My very thirsty big-leaf hydrangea is the bellwether & it hasn't required watering this week.  I wasn't constantly enveloped in a choking cloud of dust when I mowed the yard yesterday, although certain areas were still quite dusty as usual.  While recent rains modestly improved surface moisture, the small local stream still shows dry spots & isn't flowing.