Drought Information Statement for SE SD, SW MN, NW IA, Far NE Neb Valid May 14, 2026 Issued By: WFO Sioux Falls, SD Contact Information: w-fsd.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated as conditions warrant. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/fsd/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. WIDESPREAD DROUGHT CONTINUES, FOCUSED IN SOUTH DAKOTA WITH SEVERE TO LOCALIZED EXTREME DROUGHT CONDITIONS LONG RANGE OUTLOOKS FAVOR DROUGHT CONDITIONS PERSISTING OR EXPANDING 1 Latest U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for SE South Dakota, SW Minnesota, NW Iowa, far NE Nebraska …Widespread Moderate to Severe Drought Conditions with Localized Extreme Drought… Drought Intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of southern South Dakota into northern Nebraska D2 (Severe Drought): Much of southeast South Dakota into northeast Nebraska, and extreme southwest Minnesota. D1 (Moderate Drought): Most location near and south of Hwy 14 in southeast South Dakota, southwest Minnesota and far northwest Iowa D0 (Abnormally Dry): Remaining areas not in more substantial drought coverage. Precipitation Departure From Normal Some areas across southern South Dakota are running as much as a 5-9 inch precipitation deficit for the Water Year (since Oct 1st) Minimal precipitation has fallen so far this May (climatologically one of our wettest months) Normal rainfall this time of year is between 0.5-1 inch per week. Not receiving consistent rainfall this time of year quickly adds to the deficit. Precipitation Departure From Normal Water Year (Since Oct 1st) Precipitation Departure From Normal Month to Date Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts River and stream levels are generally below, to well below normal, through portions of the Big Sioux and Vermillion basins and within normal ranges elsewhere. A below normal runoff is forecast by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Missouri River, with water conservation measures in place for the reservoir system. Agricultural Impacts Reports of pasture land being well behind schedule and concern about livestock. Stock ponds also beginning to dry up. Fire Hazard Impacts Red Flag Warning continue to be issued well into May, marking some of the historically latest issued warnings for the season. Burn bans have been, or remain, in effect in some locations. Other Impacts None reported Mitigation Actions Monitoring notifications for water rights sent to some users. Hydrologic Conditions Below to well below normal stream levels through portions of the Big Sioux and Vermillion Basins. Groundwater well data from Renner, SD has generally remained steady, rising some after late April rain. Groundwater Wells Data: Renner, SD Near Huron, SD USGS Streamflow Data: National Water Dashboard USGS Streamflow Status Map - 14 Day Average (valid 05/14/2026 Agricultural and Soil Moisture Impacts SD As of May 10th Very Short Moisture Short Moisture Adequate Moisture Moisture Surplus Topsoil 20% 34% 44% 2% Subsoil 27% 28% 43% 2% IA As of May 10th Very Short Moisture Short Moisture Adequate Moisture Moisture Surplus Topsoil 3% 23% 68% 6% Subsoil 3% 18% 74% 5% MN As of May 10th Very Short Moisture Short Moisture Adequate Moisture Moisture Surplus Topsoil 4% 34% 57% 5% Subsoil 4% 29% 64% 3% USDA Crop Progress and Condition Reports South Dakota Minnesota Iowa Nebraska Medium and Long-Range Outlooks The latest medium range and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Temperature Precipitation Rain and thunderstorm chances exists for May 16th-18th. While this may bring beneficial moisture to some areas, how widespread any more significant rainfall will be is still uncertain given thunderstorm generated rainfall can be more localized. Short Range Outlook Medium to long range outlooks generally favor near to above normal temperatures and near to below normal precipitation through late spring into the summer months. Medium to Long Range Outlook Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Significant long term precipitation deficits exist over much of the region with the greatest deficits across southern South Dakota. A lack of consistent rainfall this time of year can quickly add to these deficits. While rain chances exists over the next 7 days, any widespread relief is uncertain as thunderstorm generated rainfall can be more localized. The latest drought-related information can be found at: weather.gov/fsd/drought. Additional Drought Statements will be issued as conditions warrant. The drought monitor is a multi-agency effort involving NOAA’s National Weather Service and National Climatic Data Center, the USDA, state and regional center climatologists and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Information for this statement has been gathered from NWS and FAA observation sites, cooperative and volunteer observations, USDAFS, the USDA and USGS. Acknowledgements