Much of South Dakota was trapped in moderate to extreme drought conditions from 2002 until March 2007, but a National Weather Service hydrologist says heavy, persistent rains have ended that classification.

In the words of Mike Gillispie of the Sioux Falls NWS office, "Officially, the drought is over."

Gillispie warns, though, that if normal precipitation doesn't occur, parts of the state still could fall back into the drought category.

The Gann Valley, Phillip, Dupree, Rapid City and Faith areas have recorded 9 inches to 12 inches of rain since the start of May. And Gillispie says areas northeast of Presho reportedly have gotten more than 19 inches since May 1.