Update on Drought Conditions in the High Plains Region - July 28, 2015

Eastern parts of North Dakota reported up to an inch of rain, while the rest of the state remained dry and warm. In the west, prolonged dry conditions have led to some minor, but noticeable, drought stress. Eastern South Dakota received rain and strong winds as well. The total precipitation amounts varied with the heaviest occurring in northeastern South Dakota. Winter wheat is now almost 50% harvested and Spring wheat harvest has begun.

Throughout Nebraska, the week was accompanied with near normal temperatures and light to moderate amounts of precipitation for eastern portions. Areas of southeastern Nebraska received up to four inches locally. Elsewhere dry conditions remained, combined with warm temperatures, leading to some reporting of dryland stress. However, where there was rain, there was also major crop development. In general, crop development is near or behind five-year averages due to the relatively cool and wet summer. 30% of topsoil and 26% of subsoil conditions in Nebraska rated short of very short of moisture, especially in western and central counties. This prompted the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) to expand D0 (Abnormally Dry) conditions. Western parts of Kansas received well above normal precipitation, while the eastern and central parts stayed dry this past week. Sandier soils are starting show signs of stress. D0 was expanded into central Kansas due to this. Temperatures were above normal which helped to facilitate crop development. All crops are now at or near normal in their development compared to five-year averages.

In Colorado monsoonal moisture in the southern regions has inhibited hay harvesting. As well there have been many reports of low-quality hay due to rain during the drying process. Elsewhere temperature and precipitation were near normal. Parts of Wyoming were exceptionally warm, noting recordings of 8 degrees above normal. There was also limited precipitation which led to the depletion of soil moisture levels. Subsoil and topsoil moisture supplies are rated 18% and 25% short, respectively.

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