PIERRE — Something is missing from this week’s update of the U-S Drought Monitor for South Dakota, areas of no drought. The last three areas in South Dakota that were listed as having no drought last week have been replaced with abnormally dry this week. That includes an area from eastern Stanley County, through Hughes and Sully Counties and up to Potter County and Hyde County. Moderate drought has expanded across southern Jones, Buffalo, Lyman Counties and Mellette County. Severe drought has expanded across much of Brule, southeast Lyman and Tripp County with a large area of southern Tripp County now in extreme drought. Abnormally dry conditions have expanded by 26-percent in Stanley County and percent in Hughes County. Brule County is now 83-percent in severe drought.
