Drought Information Statement for SE SD, SW MN, NW IA, Far NE Neb Valid June 22, 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): Southwest Minnesota into remaining areas of southeast South Dakota D0 (Abnormally Dry): Remaining areas not in more substantial drought coverage across northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota. Precipitation Departure From Normal The heaviest rain has largely been confined to near and north of Hwy 14 over the past couple of weeks. Elsewhere, rain that has fallen has generally fallen short of climatology for this time of year. Many areas still are carrying a long term precipitation deficit for the Water Year (since Oct 1st); some as much as 4-9 inches below normal. 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, Rock, 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 dried up with poor water quality. Potential heavy degree of crop yield loss expected in portions of south central South Dakota. Fire Hazard Impacts No recent reports Other Impacts None reported Mitigation Actions Shut off or monitoring notifications for water rights sent to some users. Hydrologic Conditions Below to well below normal stream levels through portions of the Big Sioux, Rock, and Vermillion Basins. Groundwater well data from Renner, SD had been falling throughout May and early June with some recent slight improvement. Groundwater Wells Data: Renner, SD Near Huron, SD USGS Streamflow Data: National Water Dashboard USGS Streamflow Status Map - 14 Day Average (valid 06/22/2026) Agricultural and Soil Moisture Impacts SD As of Jun 14th Very Short Moisture Short Moisture Adequate Moisture Moisture Surplus Topsoil 22% 34% 41% 3% Subsoil 27% 34% 37% 2% IA As of Jun 14th Very Short Moisture Short Moisture Adequate Moisture Moisture Surplus Topsoil 1% 14% 66% 19% Subsoil 2% 15% 70% 13% MN As of Jun 14th Very Short Moisture Short Moisture Adequate Moisture Moisture Surplus Topsoil 4% 21% 71% 4% Subsoil 5% 28% 65% 2% 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 Occasional thunderstorm chances exist over the next 7 days (through June 28th) , but any benefits will likely be more localized rather than widespread. Short Range Outlook Medium range outlooks favor above normal temperatures and near to above normal precipitation for late June into early July. Outlooks for the remainder of summer into early fall lack a clear signal in temperature or precipitation for our immediate region. Medium to Long Range Outlook Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Recent rainfall has not been widespread and has still generally fallen below climatology of what is expected this time of year. While rain chances exists through the end of June, any widespread relief is uncertain as thunderstorm generated rainfall can be more localized. Drought persistence is likely over much of southeast South Dakota and portions of southwest Minnesota. 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