Mother Nature was mercurial this week in South Dakota: just as serious drought conditions expanded in a diagonal across the state’s midsection — including Hughes and Stanley counties — in the week ended Tuesday, heavy rains hit parts of the state Wednesday and Thursday, especially in the southeast, flooding homes and roads.
Severe drought returned to Haakon County, just to the west of Stanley County, where some crops have been cut for feed, rather than later-maturing grain, because of the dry conditions, according to the latest news release Thursday from the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, which also issues the weekly Drought Monitor Maps.
Meanwhile, the area of moderate drought expanded to include much of Hughes and Stanley counties in the week ended Tuesday, Sept. 18, Drought Monitor officials in Omaha reported on Thursday.
The area of the state under severe drought increased from 2.07 percent of the land to 3.56 percent and the area in moderate drought increased from 9.55 percent a week ago to 12.94 percent in the week ended Tuesday.
Those drought conditions came out of, mostly areas that had been classified for weeks as merely abnormally dry but not yet in actual drought; that category of “abnormally dry” shrank from 27.19 percent of the state’s area a week ago to 23.37 percent as of Tuesday.
The area free of either abnormally dry conditions or drought conditions remained mostly unchanged, at 60.13 percent of the state, compared with 61.19 percent a week ago, according to the Drought Monitor Map.
Pierre received 0.57 inch of rain on Thursday by 5 p.m., bringing its 2018 precipitation total to 14.23, which still remains 2.16 inches below normal for the period.
Pierre, in fact, had received less than 25 percent of its 30-year-norm for rainfall over the past two months, before Thursday’s rains came.
Rapid City, with 0.53 inch of rain Thursday by 5 p.m., now totals 24.25 inches of precipitation in 2018 so far, 7.53 inches above normal for the period, according to preliminary statistics from the weather service.
North Dakota had seen only 30 percent of normal rainfall the past two months, as moderate and severe drought conditions expanded in the west parts of the state.

Video SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (News4Utah) – With every part of the Utah in drought and reservoirs noticeably lower, it’s forcing people to look at the states heavy water use.
Climate change is only adding to the problem with wet winters not happening as often.
The years of wet cycle that normally follows hasn’t been happening since around 1998.
"The average dry cycle is more like 3 to 7 years," said Pope.
After a dismal snow year the water issues are being easily noticed again.
"When we ask Utahns what things they’re worried about when it comes to growth, water is at the top of the list," said Bruening.
Envision Utah says we will need to build out our water infrastructure to hold more.
The Federal Government likely won’t be funding the majority of the projects.
"A lot of employers that we try to recruit actually use a lot of water, said Bruening.
Chief Meteorologist Dan Pope notes this year’s snowfall will have to be far above average.

On Thursday, about half of Mesa County was moved from the extreme to exceptional drought category, the worst category there is, by the U.S. Drought Monitor, with much of the eastern and southern parts of the county now in that category.
Delta County has moved into the exceptional category too, and many southwestern Colorado counties continue to be in that category as well.
Also Thursday, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said fire restrictions are being reinstated in the county.
Fire conditions have impacted the Uncompahgre forest in another way, though, as authorities on Tuesday again had to close part of Forest Road 402, the Divide Road, due to renewed activity in the area of the 32,645-acre Bull Draw Fire on the Montrose-Mesa county border.
Phillips said the new restrictions were imposed when a lot of hunters were in the area.
In better news for forest visitors and particularly hunters, the Forest Service said Thursday it is lifting the closure area associated with the Cache Creek Fire southwest of Rifle, meaning the reopening of popular hunting areas and trails ahead of the start of the height of hunting season.
The 2,700-acre fire is 55 percent contained and continues to smolder in areas.
Nearly 130 firefighters continue to work on the Bull Draw Fire, which is 60 percent contained.
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction said on Twitter Tuesday that the city’s high temperature that day was 93 degrees, the 90th day this year where the high temperature reached 90 degrees or more, tying a record set in 1977.
Unfortunately, she said, it looks like the next few months more likely than not will be warmer than average, which means that if precipitation comes it’s less likely to come as snow to get the snowpack season off to a good start.

The Climate Prediction Center issued its latest three-month weather outlook Thursday.
The CPC rates nearly all of the United States, North Dakota included, as having a better than average chance of experiencing a warmer than normal winter.
El Nino update The CPC continues its issuance of an El Nino Watch, saying there is a 50-55 percent chance of El Nino conditions influencing our weather through November and a 65-70 percent chance of El Nino influence beginning as early as December and continuing well into 2019.
This history of El Nino events, a warming of Pacific Ocean temperatures, is that winter temperatures in North Dakota are generally above average and snowfall below average.
Currently, says the CPC, El Nino indicators remain somewhat neutral, “a blend of slightly above-and-below average sea surface temperatures.” However, adds the CPC, a majority of forecast models favor El Nino formation later this fall albeit most likely a weak El Nino.
Nevertheless, El Nino conditions of any degree should deter the number of colder than normal days in the coming months.
A large section of the state, including Ward, Renville and Bottineau Counties is considered to be severe drought.
“Drought conditions continued in northwestern North Dakota, where precipitation over the past two months has been less than 30 percent of normal,” says the CPC.
The CPC noted that Hettinger County in southwestern North Dakota has received just 20 percent of normal precipitation over the past 60 days.
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Franklin, Vt. – The latest drought monitor came out today and it shows that Lamoille, Orleans and Franklin counties are still experiencing severe drought conditions.
Signs warning residents to conserve and boil water are plastered on the front door of the Franklin general store.
"There’s been a huge lack of rain all summer and it’s been a very hot summer," said Bill Mayo, Owner of the Franklin General Store.
In the 20 years bill mayo has lived in Franklin, he says he’s never seen a drought like this one.
"Were in dire straits right now," said Mayo.
In his store, hundreds of gallons of water sit next to the soda machine, with a sign that reads, ‘fountain soda down until further notice’.
So far, the town has trucked in close to 11,000 gallons of water to replenish the spring water system on Webster Street, where nearly a hundred people get their water from.
He says after checking for leaks, the drought was to blame.
"While the spring output has certainly diminished people have really been conserving water quite a bit," said Alexant.
"If I could do a rain dance and help I’d do it but right now at this point all we can do is pray we get some rains," said Mayo.

The Summit is not likely to produce anything not already known if too much time is spent looking backwards rather looking forward to long-term strategic planning.
Our water and soil resources are finite and these resources must been seen through the prisms of security for future generations .
The summit should not spend a disproportionate amount of time talking about dams.
Thanks to our scientists in this 21st Century, we also have a much better understanding of the environmental effects of dams.
Let the Summit not be distracted or hi-jacked by those who say dams are the answer to all of our challenges, they are not.
There is no shortage of successful land management systems designed to rejuvenate our landscapes and many farmers are embracing them.
Government surely has a role to play.
In the agriculture sector we call it "extension", a function of government which has sadly fallen away in recent years.
The Summit should spend some time reflecting on tax incentives that help farmers put money away for a dry day and to build feed storage, efficient water systems and other drought adaptation infrastructure.
Finally, if there aren’t at least as many non-farmers – including economists and scientists – as farmers and farm industry leaders sitting in and contributing to the Summit it will descend into a political talk-fest of those seeking affection rather than solutions.

http://DROUGHTREPORTER.UNL.EDU/MAP
http://WWW.ADECA.ALABAMA.GOV/DIVISIONS/OWR/PAGES/DEFAULT.ASPX
http://FORESTRY.ALABAMA.GOV
http://FORESTRY.ALABAMA.GOV/FIRE_TOTALS.ASPX?BV=1&S=4
http://WATER.WEATHER.GOV/PRECIP
http://WATERWATCH.USGS.GOV/INDEX.PHP
http://WWW.TVA.COM/ENVIRONMENT/LAKE-LEVELS
http://WWW.EMC.NCEP.NOAA.GOV/MMB/NLDAS/DROUGHT
http://WATERDATA.USGS.GOV/AL/NWIS/CURRENT/
https://WWW.GSA.STATE.AL.US/GSA/GROUNDWATER/REALTIME

Queensland farmers are being urged to have their say about the effectiveness of drought support measures by completing a new survey and taking part in an independent review that is now underway.
AgForce CEO Michael Guerin said more than half of Queensland was drought declared and many areas had been for more than six years, which had taken an emotional, financial and environmental toll on many regional communities.
"Producing great food and fibre while coping with the vagaries of the weather is an ongoing challenge for Queensland farmers, with the prolonged nature of this current drought overwhelming even the best efforts of many producers to prepare," Mr Guerin said.
"The Queensland Government’s review of its drought programs is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on what assistance measures are currently in place and what could help producers prepare for future droughts.” An independent review panel seeking submissions and holding a forum in Cloncurry in coming weeks as well as ones in Dalby, Charleville, Ayr, Bundaberg and Longreach.
AgForce is encouraging producers to get involved and have their say.
Mr Guerin said AgForce was preparing a submission and was seeking input from farmers via a new survey.
"The last major drought survey we did with members was in 2015 and the situation for many farmers has changed significantly since then so we want as many people as possible to complete the survey over the next few weeks," he said.
"Drought has such a big impact on Australian agriculture and extended dry periods are a recurring feature so we need governments at all levels and politicians on all sides to come together with industry to work on a sustainable approach to managing this issue now and into the future."
The Cloncurry forum is on Thursday October 4 at the Cloncurry Community Precinct from 11am-1pm.
The government wants producers’ feedback on what can be improved and how better resilience can be built in the future to the independent panel.

Many places reached new all-time as well as monthly records.
In August, about 90 percent of the German territory suffered under drought.
No New Heat Record – Warmest Four-Month Period "The four-month period from April to July 2018 is the warmest in Germany since the beginning of regular weather recording in 1881," says Professor Michael Kunz, Scientific Spokesperson of CEDIM and head of the corresponding working group at the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research (IMK-TRO).
In the record summer of 2003, by contrast, the same four-month period was 1.2 Kelvin colder on the average than in 2018.
The German heat record of 40.3°C was not exceeded in 2018.
Many other places in Germany reached all-time or monthly records in 2018.
Heat and Drought in Europe Also other regions of Europe suffered from the extreme drought and heat.
Forest Fires and Disturbances of Road, Air, and Ship Traffic The impacts of the heat and drought were and are still of dramatic character: In many regions of Europe, in particular in Greece, Portugal and Spain as well as in Sweden, devastating forest fires occurred.
"In Germany, the biggest impacts are seen in the agricultural sector and mainly the North and East of Germany are affected," says Susanne Kubisch, doctoral researcher of CEDIM and KIT’s Institute of Regional Science (IfR).
In agriculture and tourism, the heat wave had different regional impacts.

Locals are continuing to fundraise to support drought affected communities with Bangalow and Mullumbimby having a particular focus on the Gwydir Shire.
Kimberlee Thompson, a local community support worker from Mullumbimby, is now out in Bingara getting hands on to assist Suzy Webber, Gwydir Shires social services manager.
‘Suzy is working with and regularly consulting with the school, community members, farmers and community services organisations to offer support throughout the Shire.’ Cattle feed, powdered milk for calves, working dog food and money to buy essentials are just some of the things that have been sent out to the drought affected communities from Mullumbimby and Bangalow.
‘We are still collecting money so that we can buy the things theses communities need,’ said Jenelle Stanford from the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce.
When they eat the same feed as the cattle it gives them issues with their digestion and other problems with their liver and gums.
‘We should be really proud of our local Co-op company,’ said one local Marion Toms.
‘They have organised a massive series of feed drops into the drought stricken areas, even as far as Cobar-Pilliga.
Local farmers who have donated feed from their paddocks include Frank and Gail James, Rob Adie, Peter Buckley and Brook Thomas; Alec Noelle of Byron Bay Tree Services helped with cutting fodder.
This portrayal of Aussie goodwill and empathy is humbling.’ Bangalow fundraiser The township of Bangalow is pulling together a Bangalow to Bingara fundraiser on October 6 that aims to raise funds to assist farmers, families and businesses that are being affected by the drought.
‘A parishioner had seen the article in The Echo about the drought so we voted to donate all the money we raise at the garage sale this weekend towards the drought through the Mullumbimby Chamber of Commerce drought relief fund,’ said parish secretary Sue Williams.