PIERRE, S.D. – Extreme heat, warm overnight temperatures and no moisture have worsened the drought situation in South Dakota this past week.
The U.S. Drought Monitor released their weekly report today, and it shows most of South Dakota saw their drought conditions worsen.
Most of Stanley County and a portion of Haakon, Jackson and Jones County are now in extreme drought, or D3 conditions. They join north-central South Dakota, who has been in extreme drought conditions for most of the summer.
Across the western half of the state, the area of D2, or severe drought, grew and is now encroaching onto western Meade County, who has been in D1, or moderate drought most of the summer.
Sturgis still remains in the D1 category, as does Spearfish. However, northern Lawrence County dipped into D2 drought this past week.
The only area of the state showing no drought is the Black Hills of Custer County.
Rapid City and central Pennington County area in moderate drought while eastern Pennington is in severe drought.
