October 2010 Climate Summary

For a printable version of the climate summary which includes more figures, data tables, and state summaries, click here. 

Temperature Summary

October 2010 was warmer than normal across the High Plains Region.  Average temperatures were up to 4 degrees F (2.2 degrees C) above normal in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, and up to 8 degrees (4.4 degrees C) above normal in Wyoming and the Dakotas.  Several locations in Wyoming ranked in the top 10 warmest Octobers on record.  With an average temperature of 50.9 degrees F (10.5 degrees C), Riverton, Wyoming had its 2nd warmest October on record (period of record 1907-2010).  The warmest October was in 1963 with an average temperature of 52.0 degrees F (11.1 degrees C).  Sheridan, Wyoming recorded its 3rd warmest October on record (period of record 1948-2010) with an average temperature of 52.4 degrees F (11.3 degrees C).  Like Riverton, the record at Sheridan was also set in 1963 with an average temperature of 54.6 degrees F (12.6 degrees C).

The warm weather was also coupled with dryness for most of the month which allowed producers to make significant harvest progress.  According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, many row crop harvests across the Region were ahead of the 5-year average by the end of the month.

Precipitation Summary

October was a dry month for most areas of the High Plains Region.  Large portions of eastern Colorado, central Kansas, and eastern Nebraska along with smaller areas of southwestern North Dakota, western South Dakota, and western Wyoming received less than 25 percent of normal precipitation.  The ongoing lack of precipitation caused abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions to expand in eastern Colorado, southwestern Wyoming, and the panhandle of Nebraska.  The exceptions were west-central Colorado, eastern Wyoming, and south-central South Dakota where total precipitation for the month was 150 percent of normal or greater.

In west-central Colorado, many locations ranked in the top 10 wettest Octobers on record.  For example, Taylor Park, Colorado had its 2nd wettest October on record with a liquid precipitation total of 3.31 inches (84 mm).  This could not beat out the old record of 4.89 inches (124 mm) recorded in 1969 (period of record 1940-2010).  Taylor Park also recorded its 8th snowiest October on record with 8.2 inches (21 cm).  The snowiest October was also set in 1969 when 43.0 inches (109 cm) of snow fell.

An intense low pressure system brought rain, snow, and strong winds to parts of the Region October 26-27.  In North Dakota, precipitation started as heavy rain which caused a few flood warnings to be issued.  The rain turned to snow and totals were generally in the 2-6 inch (5-15 cm) range; however a narrow band in the north-central portion of the state reported snowfall totals of 8-13 inches (20-46 cm).  In South Dakota, the precipitation from this storm was enough to push Sioux Falls up to the wettest year on record (period of record 1893-2010).  By the end of October, the total precipitation at Sioux Falls this year was 36.25 inches (921 mm), which beat out the old annual precipitation record of 36.11 inches (917 mm) set in 1993.  In addition, strong winds with gusts of 50-60 miles per hour (80-97 kilometers per hour) were reported in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.

Climate Outlook

La Niña conditions were present across the equatorial Pacific this month and are expected to continue through early 2011.  The temperature outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal temperatures for Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, the southern half of Wyoming, and the southwest corner of South Dakota.  Equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures are predicted elsewhere in the Region.  The precipitation outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal precipitation for western Wyoming and the northwest corner of Colorado.  Meanwhile, southern Kansas and the far southeast corner of Colorado have a higher probability of below normal precipitation.  Equal chances of above, near, or below normal precipitation are predicted elsewhere in the Region.  The seasonal outlooks combine the effects of long-term trends, soil moisture, and when applicable, the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle (ENSO).  More information about these forecasts can be found here.

Drought Watch

October brought some changes to the U.S. Drought Monitor.  Below normal precipitation and declining soil moisture levels led to the expansion of abnormally dry conditions (D0) in western Kansas.  A new area of D0 developed in central Nebraska as well.  The moderate drought conditions (D1) in central Colorado and extreme southern Wyoming that developed last month spread further east in Colorado, and into the southeast corner of Wyoming and the panhandle of Nebraska.  Only small areas of D1, in north-central and southwestern South Dakota, north-central Colorado, and extreme western Wyoming, were eliminated.  According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released October 21st, the D1 areas in western Wyoming were expected to improve and the D1 areas in eastern Colorado, the panhandle of Nebraska, and far southeastern Wyoming were expected to persist through December 2010.