RAPID CITY, S.D. – More areas of southwestern South Dakota slipped into extreme drought conditions over the past week as high heat and lack of moisture continues to affect the southern tier of the state.

The Sturgis area, which has been in severe drought most of the summer, is now listed in extreme drought conditions, along with more of southwestern Meade County, southern Lawrence County, western Pennington County and western Custer County.

With the exception of southwestern Meade County in extreme drought, the rest of western Meade County is in severe drought. The majority of northern Meade County is abnormally dry.

Across the southern tier, Fall River County is listed in severe to extreme drought, along with Oglala Lakota County and Bennett County.

An area along the Missouri River in Dewey and Potter counties have also slipped into severe to extreme drought conditions.