July 2008 Climate Summary

Region Breakdown

Temperatures through the region returned more towards normal versus the below normal spring and early summer the entire region experienced. Most areas had average temperatures within 2 °F (1.1 °C) of their July normals. The exceptions within the region occurred in Northeastern Colorado, Southwestern Wyoming, and the Panhandle of Nebraska where average temperatures ranged 3-5 °F (1.7-2.8 °C) above normal through the month. Areas of well below normal average temperatures occurred in Eastern North Dakota and small portions of Northeastern Kansas where average temperatures ranged 2-3 °F (1.1-1.7 °C) below normal.

Precipitation amounts for the High Plains Region resulted in scattered areas of above average precipitation and widespread areas of well below average precipitation. Above average locations included the Nebraska Panhandle, portions of Eastern Wyoming, North Central South Dakota, Eastern North Dakota, portions of Southeastern Nebraska, and North Central Kansas. Those areas had 150%-200% their normal precipitation for the month of July. The remainder of the High Plains Region experienced predominantly below average precipitation (approx 60%) with the most extreme areas being Southwestern Wyoming and the majority of Colorado (<50%).

North Dakota had been seeing improved drought conditions through the early portions of the summer, but July brought in extreme drought conditions to the Western half of the state. The Colorado – Kansas border remained in extreme drought with exceptional drought creeping into the area. Eastern Colorado saw some increase in drought conditions (D0 – D1). Western Wyoming has begun to experience some drought conditions (D0) through the month of July. No significant areas saw improved drought conditions over the last month

Precipitation Summary

Precipitation amounts for the High Plains Region took on a different pattern through July versus what the region had seen through late spring and early summer. Through July few organized systems dropped large areas of precipitation with the exception of South Dakota. When looking at the month of July for the region, it is easy to see that isolated convection and small areas of organized convection dominated the small areas that experienced above normal precipitation amounts.

With the intrusion of warmer temperatures into the region, strong and organized systems pushed their influence further north and left large areas of Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas with below normal precipitation amounts. Besides the northward movement of many systems, moisture flow from the Gulf of Mexico during the month of July was more pronounced to the east of the region, where well above normal precipitation occurred over wide spread areas.

North Dakota had the largest areas of above average precipitation with Roscoe, SD as a prime example. Roscoe, SD received 5.98 in (151.9 mm) of precipitation through the month, which resulted in 214% their normal precipitation for the month of July. Other areas of above average precipitation included Gettysburg, SD with 5.45 in (138.4 mm) or 206% their normal and Dalton, NE with 4.87 in (123.7 mm) or 205% their normal.

On the other end of both the spectrum and region were Boulder, CO and Northglen, CO. Boulder, CO received only 0.09 in (2.3 mm) during July, resulting in 5% the normal for the month. Even worse was Northglen, CO that received 0.00 in (0 mm) of precipitation for the month while their normal for July is 1.71 in (43.4 mm).

Climate Outlook

ENSO conditions are currently neutral. ENSO neutrality is expected to persist through the fall. Concerning the High Plains Region, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center is predicting chances of above average temperatures in extreme Southern Colorado while the remainder of the High Plains Region is expected to experience near average temperatures during the months of August – October. Precipitation is predicted to be above average in South Dakota, Central and Western Nebraska, Southeastern Wyoming, extreme Northwestern Kansas, and Colorado. The highest probability of above average precipitation is expected in the Panhandle Region of Nebraska, extreme Southeastern Wyoming, and extreme Northeastern Colorado during the months of August – October.

Drought Watch

The big story over the last month for the High Plains Region has been the expanding and rapidly increasing drought conditions in North Dakota. North Dakota had been seeing improved drought conditions through the early portions of the summer, but July brought in extreme drought conditions to the Western half of the state. The Colorado – Kansas border remained in extreme drought with exceptional drought creeping into the area. Eastern Colorado saw some increase in drought conditions (D0 – D1). Additionally, Western Wyoming has begun to experience some drought conditions (D0) through the month of July. No significant areas saw improved drought conditions over the last month.