August 2008 Climate Summary

Region Breakdown
Much of the region experienced the hottest days at the beginning of the month with many stations setting records and reporting temperatures above 100°F (37.8°C). North Dakota and South Dakota, however, had their warmest days at the end of the month.
Generally, much of the region had average temperatures within 2°F (1.1°C) of their August normals. Widespread areas of below normal temperatures in Nebraska and Kansas occurred this August. The coolest areas were in northern and central Kansas where temperatures ranged from 3-5°F (1.7-2.8°C) below normal. Pockets of warmer than normal temperatures occurred in southwestern Colorado, northwestern Wyoming, western South Dakota, and western North Dakota.
While much of Wyoming, southeastern Nebraska, and central North Dakota were extremely dry and only received less than half of their normal precipitation, there were some notable wet spots. Above normal locations included eastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming, western and central Kansas, portions of the panhandle of Nebraska, and southeastern and northwestern North Dakota. These areas all received 150-300% of their normal precipitation for the month of August.

Precipitation Summary
August 2008 was dry for portions of central/eastern Nebraska, western Colorado, northern Wyoming, and the Dakotas. As drought conditions continue in Wyoming, the paucity of precipitation in eastern Nebraska and South Dakota helped contribute to the development of abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions. However, heavy rains in eastern Colorado and western Kansas helped alleviate drought conditions there, with many locations receiving 150-300% of normal precipitation.
Highlights of the precipitation totals include Greeley UNC, CO which received 7.02 inches (178.3 mm) and Alton, KS which received 9.36 inches (237.7 mm) of precipitation throughout the month. This resulted in Greeley UNC, CO receiving 595% and Alton, KS receiving 300% of normal precipitation for the month of August. Far southeastern Wyoming also saw precipitation that was above 300% of normal. Cheyenne, WY saw an impressive 6.55 inches (166.4 mm) of precipitation or 360% of normal.

Climate Outlook
ENSO conditions remain neutral and are expected to persist through the fall. NOAA forecasters are predicting chances of above normal temperatures for the majority of the High Plains region during the months of September – November. Equal chances of above, near, or below normal precipitation conditions exist for the entire region. This outlook is produced by scientists at the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. More information can be found here: http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/.

Drought Watch
Since last month, drought conditions have improved across the Colorado-Kansas border as extreme (D3) to exceptional (D4) drought conditions have changed to moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought conditions. According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released August 21, categorical improvement is expected across the Colorado-Kansas border and also in western portions of North Dakota through November 2008. Drought conditions are expected to persist in southwestern Wyoming.