By Scout Nelson
North Dakota is heading into its driest part of the year, and concerns about drought are still present across the state. State climatologist Daryl Ritchison says moisture levels have improved slightly, but about half the state remains quite dry.
Ritchison explains that the dry area stretches from the southwestern corner to the northeastern corner. Most areas west of this stretch are still classified as abnormally dry.
Ritchison, who helps prepare recommendations for the U.S. Drought Monitor, says the southwesternmost area may improve and possibly move out of the dry classification if recent rainfall continues and his recommendations are approved.
However, even with short-term rainfall, the timing matters. North Dakota is now entering what is typically the warmest and driest part of summer. Ritchison says that while August usually brings more rainfall than the winter months, the high evaporation rates from July through early September often cause more moisture loss than gain.
Recent rains in more populated areas have helped green up the landscape, improving local conditions. However, Ritchison cautions that these improvements may give people the wrong idea—that drought conditions are over. He says that is not the case, and many parts of the state still face serious dryness.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-neenawat555
Categories: North Dakota, Weather