STURGIS, S.D. – Western Meade County, including Sturgis, remained in extreme drought conditions according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday.

The majority of Lawrence County was also mired in extreme drought.

Drought conditions actually worsened across much of the state this week.

The hardest hit areas remain southwestern South Dakota along with portions of Corson and Dewey counties.

Western Pennington and Custer counties remain in extreme drought as does all of Fall River County.

The remaining parts of Pennington and Custer are in severe drought, as is central Meade County. Northern Meade County is in moderate drought.

In Butte County, the southwestern corner is listed in extreme drought with the rest of the county either in severe or moderate drought.

There are two area of the state not in drought conditions this week – they are a small part of central and northeastern South Dakota.