April 2015 was a very warm month across central and northeast South Dakota, as well as west central Minnesota. Average temperatures were anywhere from 3 to 4 degrees above normal. While the average high temperatures across the region were from 4 to 7 degrees above normal, the average lows were within 1 to 2 degrees above normal.

The area was also very dry throughout April with precipitation departures across the region generally from an inch to nearly two inches below normal.  As a result, moderate drought conditions expanded to include most of South Dakota. By the end of the month, severe drought conditions developed over a good portion of central South Dakota.  Many locations had one of their top ten driest April’s on record.  The Mellette area had their driest April on record with Roscoe having their 2^nd driest April on record.  Watertown, Kennebec, and Wilmot all had their 6^th driest April on record. Aberdeen and Pierre had their 15^th driest April on record.

April was just a continuation of the dryness since the beginning of the year.  From January 1^st through April 30^th, many locations had one of their top ten driest periods since records began.  Kennebec and Murdo had their driest January through April period with less than an inch of precipitation.  Pierre had its driest period with only a little over an inch since January 1^st.   Gettysburg, Summit, Selby, and Mellette all had their second driest January through April period with Sisseton having the third driest, Watertown fourth driest, with the sixth driest at Aberdeen.