Climate

Much of South Dakota received plenty of precipitation for the week. The big winners were areas along the Grand River in northwestern South Dakota and across east central South Dakota, where generally 1.5 to 3 inches of rain fell. Precipitation was much spottier across the southern tier of South Dakota counties and in/around the Black Hills. These areas saw from 0.25 to 1.00 inches of rain. Temperatures were 1 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit above average for all of South Dakota.
The USDM continues to show D0 Abnormally Dry to D3 Extreme Drought over southeastern South Dakota. West-central to southwestern South Dakota are showing D0 to D2 Severe Drought. Northwestern, northeastern, and east-central South Dakota remain free of drought.
~Darren Clabo, South Dakota Mines
Weather
Potential for Critical Conditions: Hot and dry conditions are expected this week, but a lack of wind will keep conditions from being critical.
~Darren Clabo, South Dakota Mines
Fire/Fuels

Herbaceous fuels throughout most of South Dakota are green, and fire behavior would be minimal. Southwestern South Dakota (Fall River and Oglala Lakota Counties) along with eastern Pennington County south of Wasta are the exception. Wheat fields are curing and would carry fire. The 1000-hour fuels are at or below average for this time of year. Fires in the timber fuel models could pose some resistance to control, especially if wind and slope come in alignment. With the hot temperatures forecast for later in the week, fuel moistures should decrease significantly.
~Jay Wickham, South Dakota Wildland Fire
Next Update: Monday, July 18, 2022
