More than half of North Dakota is now in a drought, with blistering July heat shriveling crops and taking a toll on pastures. Miranda Meehan of North Dakota State University Extension helps facilitate reporting of pasture and crop conditions around the state. The U.S. Drought Monitor map updated on Aug. 6, 2026, with more than half of North Dakota in a drought stage. Screenshot / U.S. Drought Monitor via North Dakota MonitorNone of North Dakota is in the extreme or exceptional drought categories, which can be found in other areas of the western United StatesRitchison submits recommendations for which areas of the state fall into drought categories. An annual mid-July wheat tour to estimate yields put the North Dakota crop at a respectable 48 bushels per acre.