April 22, 2008
AP
State climatologist Adnan Akyuz (ODD'-non AW'-kewz) says the past six months have been the driest on record in North Dakota.
Akyuz says the dusty and dry western part of the state is having the biggest impact on the average.He says he statewide average precipitation for the past 180 days was only 1.59 inches. That's only 38 percent of normal.
Akyuz says it's driest half-year span since record keeping began 113 years ago.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows the western half of the state in moderate to extreme drought, with the eastern half listed as abnormally dry.
Akyuz says 55 percent of the state is listed as having extreme drought. He says 22 percent is under the severe drought category.
Akyuz says only the eastern half of Cass County is not affected by the latest drought.
Akyuz says there is still hope for a turnaround, if the state gets some well-timed soaking spring rains.
http://www.kxmb.com/News/Local/231355.asp