Any discussion of drought in our region is March is probably premature.
It has been dry all around eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota since the middle of fall but all our water needs are being met at the moment. This all changes if the dry weather lingers past planting season.
After planting, crops will need rainfall to germinate. But a timely rain or two will get regional growers through. By summer, the effects a continued lack of rain will depend on the temperatures. If it is hot, evaporation rates will be greater and crops will need more rain. If it is cool, crops can get by with less.
Reservoirs upstream are relatively full, so unless the drought is severe, rivers should not drop to low. But again, a combination of severe drought and high temperatures could cause municipal and other water shortages.
Of course, none of this has happened, yet. Thus, any discussion of drought in March is probably premature.
