Drought conditions worsen in some areas - KOTA Territory News
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Drought conditions worsened in parts of South Dakota this week. The hardest hit areas: southeastern South Dakota.
"The area of Extreme Drought also grew by nearly 20 percent this week. Over the last three weeks, the southern half of the state has been steadily accumulating rainfall deficits and more impacts are being reported," said Laura Edwards SDSU Extension Climate Field Specialist.
She said temperatures topping 110 degrees last week did not help matters. The counties now in this worst category on the U.S. Drought Monitor include Bon Homme, Yankton, Clay, Union, and parts of Lincoln, Turner, Hutchinson, Charles Mix, and Shannon.
Severe drought also progressed northward in the west and moderate drought crept into some northeastern counties.
"There is no question that the drought of 2012 has taken its toll on the corn crop and hay/pasture in the region. Now, as soybeans, sunflowers, and other minor crops are taking a beating as well, it was time to reflect these agricultural impacts in the weekly drought map," Edwards said.
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