Severe to extreme drought conditions continued from June into July across most of the area. Extreme Drought/D3 expanded some across portions of central and into northeast South Dakota throughout the month. Beneficial rainfall during the second week of the month brought improved drought conditions in the Glacial Lakes area of northeast South Dakota. For July, the driest places were from north of Pierre, northeastward through Aberdeen, and over to Marshall and Day counties. This area was generally 1 to 2 inches below normal.  Above-average temperatures were observed across South Dakota during July, with several days in the 90s to the lower 100s. The Moreau River near Whitehorse and Bois De Sioux River near White Rock dropped to the 10th percentile with the warm and dry conditions. The drought conditions significantly impacted crops. Spring wheat closely resembled conditions during the 1988 drought. A shortage of pastureland and feed caused a growing concern for the lack of feed for the winter months. Many cattle producers were forced to sell off some of their cattle.
Stock ponds and creeks remained very low or completely dry. Drought conditions contributed to several grassland fires across central and northeast South Dakota throughout July as well. State parks in the Pierre area issued burn bans. Historically dry fuels were observed in central and north central South Dakota, with ERC/Energy Release Components above the 90th percentile (ERC-measure of the fuel moisture related to potential fire intensity).

Drought in GRANT, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DEUEL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in JONES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LYMAN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in BUFFALO, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SPINK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MARSHALL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CLARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HAMLIN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CODINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in ROBERTS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 01-JUL-21 00:00:00 to 31-JUL-21 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor