Nearly one-third of SD now in exceptional drought

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Nearly one-third of South Dakota is now in the grips of exceptional drought, up from a little more than one-fourth of the state last week.

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows that all of South Dakota and North Dakota remain in some category of drought. Exceptional drought, the worst, and extreme drought cover most of the southern half of South Dakota.

North Dakota still has no areas in exceptional drought. The east central part of the state — about 5 percent of North Dakota — is in extreme drought.