SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The number of dry and warm days this autumn is adding up and the drought in KELOLAND continues to expand. The drought now officially includes Sioux Falls.
Just over 40 percent of South Dakota is in drought. While the drought remains a hot topic in western South Dakota, it’s not just the west making headlines.
A new swath of moderate drought now extends from northeast Nebraska, through Sioux Falls, and extends east in southwest Minnesota and northwestern Iowa. Some of these same areas experienced record flooding just over 3 months ago.
We are certainly not alone. Drought is now expanding in nearly all directions around us. From northern Minnesota and the Great Lakes, to the ongoing dryness in Montana and Idaho, to new drought expanding in Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma, there’s no question the dry pattern is having an impact.
To top it off, little to no rain is in the 10 day forecast across much of the midsection of the nation.
If that wasn’t enough, record high temperatures are not out of the question late next week across parts of the plains, so this picture of drought will not improve anytime soon.
