Update on Drought Conditions in the High Plains Region - June 23, 2015

Lots of rain again for areas in the High Plains this week, especially in South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. This second week of significant rainfall led to reductions in the extent of Abnormal Dryness (D0) and Moderate drought (D1) conditions. D0 conditions persisted in western Wyoming and northwestern Colorado, especially after their lack of rainfall this week. Spotty areas in western North Dakota remained abnormally dry as well.

In North Dakota the rest of the state received rainfall of at least two inches. However, the central and eastern parts began reporting flooding conditions and washed out crops. Most crops are at, or near, their respective normals. While in South Dakota periodically heavy rain, strong winds, and hail were reported across much of the state in the latter half of the week slowing alfalfa cutting.

In inundated Nebraska near normal temperatures were great for planted crops. However, storms out west required replanting due to damaged crops. Hay harvest is still a challenge from all the moisture. Many fields in north central and southeastern Nebraska have standing water and are too wet to plant. At this same time most of Kansas stayed dry this week with near normal temperatures allowing for winter wheat harvest in the southern half of the state.

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/
Check out the table below for the drought conditions over the past 2 months for the High Plains Region.

To view statistics of the High Plains Region and each state check out the Regional Statistics here:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/MapsAndData/DataTables.aspx

Drought Condition (Percent Area): High Plains Region