Recent widespread rainfall is starting to improve drought conditions across South Dakota.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows widespread improvement compared to conditions the area was experiencing earlier this spring.
For the first several months of the year, the entire state was categorized as under “moderate drought.” Now, that’s down to 33 percent. Less than five percent of the state is facing severe drought, compared to 35 percent a month ago.
Still, the drought monitor shows most the state remains abnormally dry compared to average, with the worst conditions in the southwestern corner of the state.