Even though parts of our area have seen some rainfall recently, it hasn’t done much to curb the drought. The north has had the most rain out of anyone with some areas receiving a couple inches just in the last week. But rainfall of this nature won’t end a drought. These spotty storms typically provide very temporary relief. Even less if there is a drought already in place because very little water actually soaks into the ground. The only thing that will put a hault to the dry conditions would be several straight days of widespread light to moderate rain. But until then, the drought will likely continue to get worse. The latest drought monitor tells us what we already know…. Its bad. 21% of South Dakota is now in an extreme drought, most of which is south of I-90. The rest of us aren’t in much better shape with severe drought taking over the rest of the I-90 and Highway 14 corridors and a moderate drought for many locations along highway 12. The unfortunate part is that there isn’t relief in sight, at least not widespread lasting relief. With August now right around the corner, which can be a very hot and dry month in a good year, this drought will likely get worse before it gets better.
