(Pierre, SD) — Drought conditions are worsening across the eastern part of South Dakota this week. June has brought hot and sunny days with little rain relief. Extreme drought is in effect for Charles Mix, Bon Homme, and Douglas Counties. The area of severe drought has now been expanded north of I-90 to include part of Beadle and Kingsbury counties just south of Huron.
Drought conditions also continue to worsen across Minnesota, as more than 90 percent of the state is in some form of drought. Parts of central and northeastern Minnesota are seeing the harshest conditions with severe drought. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report says southwestern Minnesota is the only part of the state with no drought, including Springfield, St. James, and Windom.
Much of North Dakota is experiencing abnormally dry conditions. The snow melt pulled the state out of severe drought with just under 30-percent now in abnormally dry conditions. The U.S. Drought Monitor shows Pembina County and parts of Walsh and Cavalier counties in far northeast North Dakota with moderate drought conditions. Most of the remaining counties have experienced one of the wettest months of May documented in the last 129 years.
But some rain may be on the way over the next week as the National Weather Services says showers and strong storms are possible tonight through this weekend across the Dakotas and into Minnesota.
