Drought Status Update for the Northern Great Plains

Key Points

• Widespread moderate to extreme drought (D1–D3) continues to persist across much of the Northern Great Plains. The hardest hit state, North Dakota, currently has Extreme Drought (D3) impacting 85% of the state. D3 covers roughly 20% of South Dakota, 16% of Montana, and 5% of Wyoming.
• The most prominent drought impacts include significant and record-breaking wildfires (over 800 fires in North Dakota alone), lack of water and poor water quality for livestock, poor pasture and rangelands, and reduced ability to grow some commercial and specialty crops.
• As a result, widespread burn bans are in effect, and some states are offering water assistance programs and coordinating hay hotlines/feed lists. Some producers are reducing their herd size, and some farmers were not able to plant spring wheat.
• Steady and consistent rainfall is needed across much of the region for significant drought recovery. Unfortunately, despite the potential for some short-term relief over the next week, the summer climate outlook does not look promising to alleviate drought conditions. There is a greater chance for above-normal temperatures across the entire Northern Great Plains, and a greater potential for below-normal precipitation in the western parts of the region.
• It is likely that drought impacts will continue throughout summer, with the potential for more wildfires and decreased water supply. A secondary peak of wildfire is expected in late summer/early fall if conditions do not improve before then.