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Drought Monitor Index

State climatologist Dennis Todey joins the program to discuss the latest drought conditions in South Dakota. The April snows and early May rains have been easing the drought across South Dakota. The most recent drought monitor index has about 45 percent of the state in the severe drought category and 21 percent in the extreme category. But unlike last summer, none of the state is in the exceptional drought category. However, spring snow, frost and cold along with soggy weather has led farmers to push back planting. South Dakota's corn planting is only about half as far along as it was at this time last year.