Severe drought: Southwestern third of Stutsman County gets drier.
More of Stutsman County is in severe drought, according to the latest Drought Monitor map.
Daryl Ritchison, interim director of the North Dakota Agricultural Network, said the map is based on reported conditions through Monday and does not reflect parts of the state that had received rain this week.
Andy Zink, executive director of the Stutsman County Farm Service Agency, said the map marks two consecutive weeks with at least part of Stutsman County in severe drought conditions.
“If conditions anywhere in the county are classified as D3 (extreme drought), then the entire county is eligible for the (livestock forage) program immediately.” The livestock forage program makes a per-head payment to farmers based on their farming practices and the severity of the drought.
Ritchison said chances of rain continue to be in the forecast for much of North Dakota through the weekend.
“Some spots could get 2 inches, some could get zero,” he said.
“It just takes one thunderstorm to bring a lot of rain to an area.” Under normal conditions, the Jamestown area would see about 2 1/2 inches of rain per month during July and August, Ritchison said.
The National Weather Service reports Jamestown has received 0.59 inch of rain so far this month.
Jamestown has received 5.46 inches of precipitation since Jan. 1, which is about half the average of 11.01 inches.