The U.S. Drought Monitor's weekly report released Thursday showed that almost 35 percent of the state is in a exceptional drought - the highest ranking by the U.S. Drought Monitor.That is an increase from 30 percent last week.

Reno County conditions also have worsened, with the southern part of the county now in the exceptional drought.

Meanwhile, the entire state remains in a moderate to exceptional drought. Kansas has been in drought conditions since July 2010. 

Also according to the report, roughly 60.1 percent of the lower 48 states were in some form of drought, up from 58.8 percent last week. Land in extreme or exceptional drought conditions increased from 18.3 percent to 19.04 percent.