PIERRE — Drought has expanded across parts of central South Dakota. At the same time areas of no drought have reached the middle of the state. An area of no drought has drifted into northern Hand County from northeast South Dakota. Just over 16-percent of Hand County is in no drought with Potter County at five and a half percent in no drought. On the other side, large upgrades in moderate drought has taken place in the last week, largely south of Interstate 90. Moderate drought has increased nine-point-two percent in Jackson County and 73-percent across Mellette County. Tripp County saw a week-to-week increase in moderate drought of nearly 93-percent. Moderate drought grew across Lyman County by nine-point-six percent and 10-point-six percent in Brule County. Moderate drought dropped by one-percent in Ziebach County. Extreme drought in Union County dropped from four-point-nine percent to point four-two percent this week.
