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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for South Dakota

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across South Dakota using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in South Dakota. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Grain and pasture growth is stunted
100.0
of SD
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Topsoil is dry; grain crop yields decline
  • Pasture and water supplies decline; cattle industry is under stress
43.4
of SD
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Planting begins early; irrigation use increases
  • Hay is short; cattle sales are early
  • Fire season is extended; fire season is early; grass fires are common
5.5
of SD
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Row crop loss is significant
  • Producers haul water for cattle and provide supplemental feeding; cattle sales increase
  • Burn bans begin
0.0
of SD
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Row crop loss is significant; producers are selling livestock herds; market prices fall
  • Epizootic hemorrhagic disease spreads; wildlife populations decline; recreational fishing and hunting are affected
  • Extremely low flow and river debris impair navigation of major rivers; commercial barge traffic slows; water use restrictions are implemented
0.0
of SD
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Grain and pasture growth is stunted
100.0
of SD
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Topsoil is dry; grain crop yields decline
  • Pasture and water supplies decline; cattle industry is under stress
43.4
of SD
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Planting begins early; irrigation use increases
  • Hay is short; cattle sales are early
  • Fire season is extended; fire season is early; grass fires are common
5.5
of SD
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Row crop loss is significant
  • Producers haul water for cattle and provide supplemental feeding; cattle sales increase
  • Burn bans begin
0.0
of SD
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Row crop loss is significant; producers are selling livestock herds; market prices fall
  • Epizootic hemorrhagic disease spreads; wildlife populations decline; recreational fishing and hunting are affected
  • Extremely low flow and river debris impair navigation of major rivers; commercial barge traffic slows; water use restrictions are implemented
0.0
of SD
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Grain and pasture growth is stunted
100.0
of SD
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Topsoil is dry; grain crop yields decline
  • Pasture and water supplies decline; cattle industry is under stress
56.8
of SD
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Planting begins early; irrigation use increases
  • Hay is short; cattle sales are early
  • Fire season is extended; fire season is early; grass fires are common
7.9
of SD
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Row crop loss is significant
  • Producers haul water for cattle and provide supplemental feeding; cattle sales increase
  • Burn bans begin
0.0
of SD
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Row crop loss is significant; producers are selling livestock herds; market prices fall
  • Epizootic hemorrhagic disease spreads; wildlife populations decline; recreational fishing and hunting are affected
  • Extremely low flow and river debris impair navigation of major rivers; commercial barge traffic slows; water use restrictions are implemented
0.0
of SD
(D4)
287,502
people in South Dakota are affected by drought
33
counties with USDA disaster designations
20th
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
20th
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

View Conditions by City:
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Drought in South Dakota from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in South Dakota lasted 349 weeks beginning on December 4, 2001, and ending on August 5, 2008. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of October 9, 2012, where D4 affected 32.57% of South Dakota land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. The USDM relies on drought experts to synthesize the best available data and work with local observers to interpret the information. The USDM also incorporates ground truthing and information about how drought is affecting people, via a network of more than 450 observers across the country, including state climatologists, National Weather Service staff, Extension agents, and hydrologists. Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to