Recent rainfall in South Dakota hasn’t been enough to make a substantial difference in the drought.
Laura Edwards is the state climatologist. She says South Dakotans will continue to see dry conditions.
“The rain amounts we’re seeing right now aren’t going to make a real big dent in the drought. They might hold things steady for a while, but we’re deep in a hole of moisture that’s going to take more than just a week to get out of.”
About 70 percent of the state is in severe drought or worse. Edwards says weather conditions will likely be consistent through the end of July.
“Very warm, maybe 90s pushing 100 again on some areas in the north-central states. I think July is going to end up warm and dry again in the last couple weeks of the month. I think impacts are going to start accelerating here especially on the agriculture side and in some of our water supplies.”
To find the latest updates on the drought, go to www.drought.gov.
This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.