The severe to exceptional drought conditions continued across most of central and northeast South Dakota throughout February. A significant blizzard in early February brought from 1 to 2 feet of snow to northeast South Dakota into central South Dakota helping the drought situation. The counties in the northeast went from severe to extreme drought at the end of January to generally moderate drought by the mid week of February as a result of the blizzard.
The counties in exceptional drought were Stanley, Jones, and Lyman.  Extreme drought covered Dewey, Sully, Potter, Hughes, Buffalo, and southern Hand and Hyde counties. Walworth, Campbell, Corson, Mcpherson, Edmunds, and western Faulk remained in severe drought through the end of the month. Areas mainly west of the Missouri River did not receive as much moisture during February. In fact, north central South Dakota was generally below normal for precipitation. Calculated soil moisture deficits continued to range from 2 to 4 inches. Winter wheat continued to generally be rated from very poor to fair across the region.

Drought in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in JONES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LYMAN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in BUFFALO, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SPINK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CLARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in ROBERTS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in GRANT, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DEUEL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CODINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HAMLIN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor