Drought conditions expanding in North Dakota

Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff
Photo by: WDAY Radio Staff

(Bismarck, ND) -- Drought conditions are expanding in North Dakota.

The newly-released U.S. Drought Monitor report shows drought conditions in nearly one-fifth of the state are severe. Another 75-percent of the state is in moderate drought and the rest of the state is considered abnormally dry.

Meteorologists say above-normal temperatures and a lack of precipitation are the main contributing factors in the Northern Plains.

The Central Plains and most of the western half of the U.S. are also experiencing drought conditions.