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Dry conditions will stick around western Corn Belt

A state climatologist says timely rains will be crucial as the drought situation expands in South Dakota.

Laura Edwards with South Dakota State University Extension says there’s already a moderate drought in effect for the entire state as spring planting begins.

“We’ve already seen some oats and small grains get planted,” she says. “One of the things I’m concerned about is we had very little snow cover for most of the winter. Hopefully, it was enough to protect the winter wheat from more extensive frost or freeze damage, but that’s yet to be seen.”

She says pasture growth is also at risk.

The NOAA’s spring outlook has dryness in the forecast across the western Corn Belt and southern U.S. plains at an important time of the year for rain. Edwards says while there are spotty rains in the forecast…

“For the next week or two, chances are reduced for moisture and what comes won’t be very big.”

Edwards says she’s trying to remain optimistic.

“Even if we get near-normal moisture in April, we can improve drought conditions a little here in the spring. This is a good opportunity to gain soil moisture and hopefully, hold it in our soil, kind of like our bank account, for the rest of the summer should we turn drier.”

She says there is a greater chance for another dry growing season again this summer.