Drought Conditions in the High Plains Region-Update April 11

This past week brought some much needed precipitation to the High Plains Region.  According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, there were some major improvements to the Region in the higher intensity drought conditions. The area of exceptional drought (D4) was reduced by nearly half week, to total only 11.7% of the Region. Most of this improvement was in Nebraska, where there was a 60% reduction in the area of D4, to total only 15.23% of the state. Nebraska has not had the area of D4 this low since August 7^th of last year.  Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming, and South Dakota all saw the area of D4 reduce as well. The Region as a whole still has 91.67% of its area in a moderate drought (D1) condition or worse. Areas of severe drought (D2) and extreme drought (D3) had reductions in area as well this week, with totals of 80.57% and 53.33% respectively. Also, the U.S. Drought Monitor reported that precipitation was still falling when the cutoff for the weekly data occurred, meaning areas under this precipitation event will be reexamined for next week with the full data set.  

To learn more about the U.S. Drought Monitor, please see: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu

Check out the table below for the drought conditions over the past month for the High Plains Region.

To view 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): High Plains Region