September 2016 Climate Summary Now Available

Overview - A Warm Start to Fall

The fall season got off to a warm start across the High Plains, with temperatures ranging from near normal in Wyoming to 3.0-5.0 degrees F (1.7-2.8 degrees C) above normal in the eastern High Plains and Colorado. It was especially warm in Colorado, as Pueblo tied for its 5th warmest September, while Colorado Springs experienced its 7th warmest on record. Precipitation varied throughout the area, with wet conditions across the western and eastern High Plains and dryness in the central part of the region. Kansas and North Dakota have especially been wet over the past few months, as some locations have continued to set top 10 records. For instance, Wichita, Kansas had its 2nd wettest July, 4th wettest August, and 2nd wettest September on record this year. As of the end of September, Wichita had received 47.64 inches (1210 mm) of precipitation since January 1, which is enough precipitation to become the 3rd wettest year on record with three months left in the year. On the dry side, Colorado continued to experience below-normal precipitation, which resulted in the drying of topsoil and subsoil across the state. Drought conditions worsened in northwestern Wyoming, which experienced low streamflows and increased wildfire activity. According to the National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park had its most active fire year since 1988 with 62,000 acres burned.

    
The growing season has nearly ended throughout the region, and harvest is now in full swing. For the most part, row crops and pasture conditions fared well this year due to ample moisture and the lack of widespread drought conditions. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, record-high corn and soybean production is expected in the U.S. this year, thanks to favorable weather and excellent field conditions. Corn and soybean harvest got off to a decent start across much of the region due to warm temperatures and late-September dryness, and spring wheat harvest wrapped up early. However, persistent wetness slowed the sugar beet harvest in North Dakota, while dry conditions in South Dakota delayed the planting of winter wheat.

For more information on temperature, precipitation, and impacts from climate in September in the High Plains region, please see the link to the full PDF of the summary: http://hprcc.unl.edu/climatesummaries.php