This interview is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment, hosted by Lori Walsh.

The spring outlook for South Dakota is leaning towards dry conditions for most of the state. Soil moisture is near average statewide but dry along the south. April, May, and June are key precipitation months and are predicted to be drier than average. Laura Edwards is the SDSU Extension State Climatologist.

“We’ve been experiencing drought for quite some time," Edwards says. "Even a year ago at this time we had moderate to severe drought over much of the state. We’re going on a year and half to two years in some parts of the state. This is the longest drought we’ve had continuously probably since the early 2000s.”

Edwards says rainfall is needed to refill stock ponds and in order for natural prairie grasses to grow.