Rain Erasing Drought Conditions

After a dry start to spring, recent rains have been erasing drought conditions in KELOLAND.

In fact, some places are wanting a break from the moisture. Brown County is one area that isn't even considered dry anymore.

"We're in pretty good shape with the moisture we've had lately," Groton farmer Roger Rix said.

Rix is even concerned a big rain event could get the area back into the dilemma of being too wet. Aberdeen's a couple inches above normal for the month of April. Surrounding communities have seen extra rain too.

But climatologist Laura Edwards with the SDSU Extension Service says the rain that’s been falling to end the week shouldn't hurt.

"There's still some capacity there for the soil to absorb some more moisture," Edwards said.

It appears that is what's happening because Edwards says streams aren't rising. But if the rain continues too long, it also won't help.

"Give us a window here to finish our corn planting and get started on soy beans," Rix said.

And, then see timely rains from there. But if that’s not what happens, there is some breathing room if another dry spell hits.

"The water really just soaked in and that's what we like to see. Because then it gets stored for later use," Edwards said.

Before rain started falling in recent weeks, Edwards says parts of the northeast were teetering between moderate and severe drought conditions.