Drought Conditions in the High Plains Region- UPDATE

The trend continues as drought worsens in the High Plains Region. Record setting temperatures and lack of precipitation continue to degrade the area. The Region saw another increase of 7.4% in area of moderate drought (D1) or worse from last week according to the latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Also areas of exceptional drought (D4) are beginning to show in parts of Colorado.

With little to no precipitation this week all states in the High Plains Region showed worsening drought conditions. Across the entire Region, the area of extreme drought (D3) or worse increased just over 7%. South Dakota saw an increase of about 25% in D1 or worse conditions. Severe drought (D2) conditions are starting to show up in western portions of South Dakota as well. To learn more about the U.S. Drought Monitor, please see: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu 

Drought conditions in Kansas continue to worsen. Area of D3 or worse consume over one-quarter of the state at 28.25%, an expansion of about 11% compared to last week. Without any precipitation conditions will only get worse. Check out the table below for the drought conditions over the past month for Kansas. To view more statistics of the High Plains Region and each state check out the Tabular Statistics here: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_highplains.htm 

                      Drought Condition (Percent Area): Kansas