South Dakota started the month of May with growing concerns of a drought thanks to a dry winter and a rather dry start to spring.

However, that outlook has changed quite rapidly over the past couple of weeks thanks to a significant amount of precipitation statewide, especially in western South Dakota.

We can all relate as our wet Memorial Day weekend starts to wind down.

Some places in the west have seen three to four times the precipitation they had seen since January, according to Dennis Todey, SDSU Extension Climate Specialist and South Dakota Climatologist.

The newly released NOAA 30-and 90-day climate outlooks continue to indicate wetter than average conditions are more likely for most of the state through the summer.

Todey says, “The June to August outlook, in particular, has above average precipitation chances likely over most of South Dakota and the Great Plains. The June outlook has wetter chances just in southern South Dakota.”

Don't expect really warm temps this summer either it sounds like. According to Todey, near-normal to cooler temperatures are more likely to exist throughout the summer in South Dakota.

We can thank El Nino for this latest change in the weather. “El Nino is developing, which seems very likely to strengthen and persist through the summer,” Todey said.

El Nino, a winter phenomenon that typically strengthens throughout the fall and winter months is acting quite the opposite of usual strengthening through the spring this year.

Todey says, “The impact of the likely wetter conditions will be to continue to reduce the precipitation deficits still existing in some places in eastern South Dakota.”

This news should help bring a smile to the face of most farmers, as long as it doesn't get too wet. The increased precipitation totals should generally be good for agricultural production for the year after the dry fall to spring period, according to Todey.

Moisture deficits in the soil still remain in eastern South Dakota, so additional precipitation is needed.

But overall, the excessive wetness in some parts of the state has not been too much of a problem yet, but will have to be monitored in some areas.

Me, I'm just hoping Mother Nature allows the sun to shine every once and a while on the weekends this summer. I just bought a new tent and I'd like to use sometime. Please!

Source: Tri-State Neighbor 

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