🌵 South Dakota Drought Monitor
Current drought conditions and weekly trends for South Dakota. Data sourced from NOAA / US Drought Monitor.
Live Data • Last updated: May 19, 2026
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D2
Dominant
South Dakota is in Severe Drought
Dominant drought category as of May 19, 2026
Drought Category Breakdown
Percentage of South Dakota's land area in each drought category.
10%
90%
59%
37%
12%
No Drought
D0 — Abnormally Dry
D1 — Moderate Drought
D2 — Severe Drought
D3 — Extreme Drought
D4 — Exceptional Drought
📋 Drought Impact Assessment
Severe drought (D2) currently affects 37.27% of South Dakota, with an additional 59.47% experiencing moderate drought (D1). Overall, 90.24% of the state is classified as abnormally dry or worse, leaving only 9.76% of the land area without drought conditions. The state is facing significant water stress, with some areas under extreme drought (D3) accounting for 12.23%.
The severe drought is impacting agricultural production, leading to increased irrigation demands and reduced crop yields. Municipal water supplies are under strain, prompting some cities to implement water-use restrictions. Reservoir levels are declining, which could affect river flows and fish habitats. Farmers are particularly concerned about the long-term viability of their crops, as the lack of moisture could lead to reduced harvests and increased feed costs for livestock.
The severe drought is impacting agricultural production, leading to increased irrigation demands and reduced crop yields. Municipal water supplies are under strain, prompting some cities to implement water-use restrictions. Reservoir levels are declining, which could affect river flows and fish habitats. Farmers are particularly concerned about the long-term viability of their crops, as the lack of moisture could lead to reduced harvests and increased feed costs for livestock.