South Dakota State University Extension State Climatologist Laura Edwards says the recent rain events improved some dry conditions, but the Dakotas remain in drought. That’s showing up in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. “There’s many areas of improvement in the western Dakotas. In the eastern side of South Dakota, drought expanded this week,” says Edwards. “Some areas of eastern South Dakota are running less than 25 percent of average rainfall in the last month. Farmers want more rain.” The cooler temperatures in early May slowed the drought, but the longer-term weather outlook is forecasting warmer-than-average temperatures. This could limit drought improvement, even with more rainfall. “The longer-term forecast doesn’t look great for wet conditions. Maybe near average to dry in the coming weeks. The warmer temperatures could make things worse or hold things steady.”
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