August 2014 Climate Summary

For a printable version of the climate summary which includes more figures, data tables, and state summaries, click here. 

Temperature Summary

August 2014 was a cool and wet month for most of the High Plains Region. A broad area of below normal temperatures encompassed Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, the southern half of North Dakota, and northern Nebraska. The largest departures of 2.0-4.0 degrees F (1.1-2.2 degrees C) occurred in northern Colorado, central Wyoming, central South Dakota, and southwestern North Dakota. On the warm side, areas of Kansas, southern Nebraska, and northern North Dakota had temperature departures which ranged from near normal to 3.0 degrees F (1.7 degrees C) above normal. Monthly temperature records were not broken this month.

While overall this has been a great growing season across the Midwest, the continuation of cool weather may prove to be an issue for producers in northern parts of the Region this fall. A late start to the growing season combined with cooler conditions has put crop progress behind and harvest season is likely to be delayed due to high moisture in the corn. There is also some concern about whether these late planted crops will reach maturity before the first killing freeze. Excess moisture in fields was also an issue in some areas where wheat could not be harvested due to muddy conditions. Although not weather/climate related, another issue facing grain producers was the delay of shipments due to the increased rail traffic from the oil boom.

Precipitation Summary

Following a very dry July, the High Plains Region was quite wet this August. Large areas of the Region and surrounding areas received over 200 percent of normal precipitation. One area extended from Montana, Wyoming, and northwestern Colorado into western North Dakota and northern and central South Dakota. Other areas receiving heavy precipitation included southeastern North Dakota, south-central South Dakota, east-central Nebraska and western Iowa, and the northern part of the Nebraska panhandle. The only widespread dry areas were located in central Kansas and central Colorado.

There were locations in each state which ranked in the top 10 wettest Augusts on record due to the widespread heavy precipitation. One of these locations was Kearney 4 NE, Nebraska which received 7.60 inches (193 mm) and ranked as the 2nd wettest August on record (period of record 1894-2014). 3.19 inches (81 mm) fell in just one day,
August 9th, and the city of Kearney experienced flash flooding which not only impacted travel but also flooded the basement and cafeteria of the Good Samaritan Hospital. The August 9-10 total of 4.26 inches (108 mm) was the highest two-day precipitation total on record for the month of August. Another notable wet location was Dickinson,
North Dakota which had its wettest August on record. Dickinson received 6.79 inches (17 mm) of precipitation which was 5.25 inches (13 mm) above normal, or 441 percent of normal! This crushed the old record of 5.55 inches (14 mm) set back in 1954 (period of record 1948-2014). For more August records, please see page 6.

Although just outside the Region, it is worth noting that a slow-moving storm system brought significant, recordbreaking rainfall to central and eastern Montana at the end of August. Many locations had precipitation totals that matched or exceeded half their average annual totals. One example was Glasgow, which had its wettest August on record with 6.72 inches (171 mm) (period of record 1893-2014). For comparison, the normal precipitation for August is 1.24 inches (31 mm) and for the year is 11.66 inches (296 mm). The heavy rain not only led to flooding along the Milk River, but also negatively impacted barley and wheat crops. According to the United States Geological Survey’s streamflow conditions map, high flows were present along the Missouri and its tributaries in areas of Montana and western North Dakota following these heavy rains.

Climate Outlook

ENSO-neutral conditions continued this month, but there is still a 65 percent chance of El Niño development during the fall and winter. The temperature outlook for the autumn months indicates that a higher probability of below normal temperatures exists for southern portions of the Region including the majority of Colorado, Kansas, and southern Nebraska. There is an increased chance for above normal temperatures for most of the western U.S. and this extends into Montana, northwestern Wyoming and western North Dakota. Meanwhile, the precipitation outlook shows a higher probability of above normal precipitation for Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, southern Wyoming, and extreme southern South Dakota. All other areas in the Region have equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures and precipitation.The seasonal outlooks combine the effects of long-term trends, soil moisture, and when applicable, the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle (ENSO).More information about these forecasts can be found here.

Drought Watch

Heavy rains led to improvements this month across the High Plains Region. Although the total area of the Region still in drought (D1-D4) remained about the same, there were some single category improvements in Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The last remaining area of exceptional drought (D4) in eastern Colorado was downgraded to extreme drought (D3) and severe and extreme drought (D2 and D3, respectively) conditions improved in Kansas as well. The most significant decrease occurred in an approximate 10 percent reduction of D2 across Kansas. Additionally, a couple of areas of moderate drought (D1) improved in southeastern South Dakota and northeastern Nebraska. The only area to experience degradation was in extreme southeastern Nebraska and eastern Kansas where D1 emerged. According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released August 21st much of the current drought conditions should improve or be removed. The only area where drought is expected to persist or intensify is the northwest corner of Colorado and south-central Wyoming.