April 2014 was a below normal temperature month across central and northeast South Dakota as well as west central Minnesota.  This continued the string of below normal temperature months across the region dating back to September 2013.  The average temperatures for April 2014 were anywhere from 1 to 4 degrees below normal shown on the chart and map below.  The rainfall generally finished out the month above normal across the region with the help of a large and prolonged late April storm.  The chart and maps below show that the monthly rainfall amounts were anywhere from 1 to 4 inches across the region.  The departures from normal were anywhere from an inch below to 2 inches above normal.   The driest areas were from Watertown to Clark to Redfield over to Miller where the latest drought monitor was beginning to reflect these dry conditions.