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Weekly High Plains Drought Update - October 7, 2016
Author: Haylie Mikulak - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2016-10-07 17:42:11
Updated:
North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska saw improvements this week while Kansas and South Dakota saw further degradation. North Dakota remains almost completely free of drought and abnormally dry conditions this week except for the border between the Dakotas. Areas of severe (D2) and moderate (D1) drought as well as abnormal dryness (D0) decreased across Wyoming this week. D0 conditions in northern Colorado and central Nebraska diminished, however zones of D1 and D2 drought continue to persist. Kansas no longer remains free of drought or abnormally dry conditions this week, when areas of D0 conditions were added to the southwestern portion of the state. D0 and D1 drought expand in western South Dakota this week, however there were slight improvements with the decrease in D2 conditions and the removal of D3.
Over 73% of the High Plains region is currently free of drought or abnormal dryness. Extreme drought (D3) conditions have finally been removed from the region this week after persisting since late June.
Over the next week, above normal temperatures are expected across the entire continental US. Meanwhile, below normal precipitation is expected for the central and southern portions of the High Plains Region in addition to areas stretching from the Southwest to the East Coast. The northern areas of the High Plains Region as well as the Pacific Northwest are expecting to experience above normal precipitation values this week.
For more information on the U.S. Drought Monitor, please visit: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu
