According to the Drought Monitor, many areas across the High Plains continue to experience dry conditions.
“Extreme drought was introduced in Eddy County in east central North Dakota, with adjoining extreme and moderate drought each extending slightly farther south to southern Foster County.
Some producers have started feeding their cattle, which typically does not happen until first snowfall.
McHenry County, which borders Ward County to the east, lies within a band of dry conditions ranging from the Canadian border to the Grand Forks area.
About two-thirds of Ward County, all of Renville and nearly all of Bottineau County is among those areas included in the severe drought category, which has expanded slightly from a week ago.
Precipitation so far this year at the Minot Airport is reported at 9.32 inches, or 5.40 inches below the long-term average.
Hettinger, in southwest North Dakota, is in a similar situation as Minot with official precipitation for the year listed at 8.40 inches, also 5.40 inches less than normal.
Dickinson reports 13.59 inches of precipitation so far this year, .12 inches above normal.
Williston has received .33 inches more than its yearly average to date.
Turtle Lake reports 16.94 inches of precipitation, more than two inches above average there.