High overnight temperatures combined with a continued lack of rainfall are making drought conditions across the state worse.
Laura Edwards is the state climatologist. She says the higher night-time temperatures have an effect on plant growth.
“We see our plants stress a lot, from garden and lawns all the way to row crops of corn and soybeans, really stressing a lot on those hot days,” Edwards says.
Edwards says not being able to cool off enough at night is also a problem for animals and people without air conditioning.
The U.S. drought monitor updates every Thursday and can be found at https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?SD
This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.