Update on Drought Conditions in the High Plains Region - July 21, 2015

Varying portions of the High Plains remained dry this past week. This short term dryness led the U.S. Drought Monitor to upgrade drought conditions to Abnormally Dry (D0) in Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota. No changes were made in the western parts where spotty rain fell. Reservoir storage in Colorado and Wyoming is still above normal, so there is no need to be concerned about the persistently hot conditions.

Storms with strong winds, heavy rain, and isolated hail caused some lodging and low-area flooding in central and eastern parts of North Dakota. The continuing wet conditions were causing disease concerns in some crops. Dry weather is needed in these areas. Above average temperatures in South Dakota continued to advance crop development and mainly rain-free days provided 6.5 days suitable for field work before severe storms moved through the state on Friday. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions are short or very short on 28% of acres.

Temperatures in Nebraska averaged 2-3 degrees above normal. Rainfall was widespread, with 2” or more falling in the central and northeast portions of the state. The hot, humid conditions continued to boost crop development but stressed livestock. In Kansas most of the state experienced temperatures two to six degrees above normal. Three or more inches of rain were received in parts of the north-central and northeast areas of the State, while the southeast remained relatively dry.

Significant progress was achieved in the harvest of winter wheat while precipitation fell in varying amounts in Colorado. Heaviest accumulations were localized to the eastern part of the state. Virtually all winter wheat was mature by week’s end.

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