Drought conditions lifting – at least for now

As we transition into summer, Crook County is starting to see a little more badly needed moisture than it has for many months. In fact, this county experienced the fourteenth wettest April on record, with 1.24 extra inches of precipitation.

The year as a whole has been slightly wetter than average – an estimated 0.08 inches above normal. Over the Memorial Day weekend, the region experienced significant amounts of rainfall, with the National Weather Service out of Rapid City reporting 1.9 inches in Beulah.

Despite this, the county has remained in a condition of drought.

At this time, the U.S. D...