Drought Conditions in the High Plains Region-Update June 17th, 2014

The region has received even more rainfall this past week with some areas now reporting flooding. The main concern right now is flooding along the Missouri river from around Sioux City, Iowa to Kansas City, Missouri. Some of its tributaries along the South Dakota and Minnesota border are also reporting water levels near or at flood stage. However, moderate amounts of rain in Nebraska and South Dakota have helped while dryness has persisted and even increased in parts of Wyoming and Colorado.

Since the 10th of June the categories of drought that saw the most relief were the Moderate and worse (D1-D4) which saw a decrease by almost 2% in the High Plains; and Extreme drought or worse (D3-D4) which saw a decrease by 1.7%.  

Nebraska saw the most improvement in the region. Nearly 9% of the state that was in drought is officially no longer dry. The worst drought in the area (D3-D4) is at an almost non-existent 0.01% which can't even be seen on the map. Kansas also saw modest relief. Their worst drought in the area (D3-D4) saw a 10% decrease down to 21.27%. Colorado's drought status remained nearly the same with only hundredths of a percent of change in some of the drought categories. Meanwhile in Wyoming the Abnormally Dry category has increased by 7% extending into south-central Wyoming. 

Overall the trends have been good in the High Plains for eradicating the drought conditions. Maps show that since the first of the month many places in the high plains have seen well over 100% of normal precipitation, while areas in western Colorado and southern Wyoming struggle to reach even 50% of normal precipitation. As well there are spots in eastern-central South Dakota and central North Dakota that are experiencing much less than average precipitation. 

A look towards the next seven days shows areas in central and eastern Kansas getting some precipitation that should help to ease the drought in that region. Elsewhere in the plains looks to receive near normal amounts of precipitation. 

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

To see the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook, please see the Climate Prediction Center here:http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/sdo_summary.html

To see the areas of agriculture affected by the drought, please see the USDA link: http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather/Drought/AgInDrought.pdf

To see the impacts of the drought, please see the Drought Impact Reporter here: http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

      Drought Condition (Percent Area): High Plains Region