Weekly High Plains Drought Update - July 13, 2017

Drought Intensifies in the Northern Plains

It was another warm, dry week across much of the High Plains, which led to additional drought expansion and intensificaton in the Northern Plains region. This area in drought was 6-10°F above normal for the week, with temperatures exceeding 100°F in many locations. As for precipitation, little relief occurred, as less than 25 percent of normal precipitation fell. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, over 30 percent of this region is now in drought, and nearly 12 percent is now experiencing D3 (extreme drought) conditions. The D3 areas exist in northeastern Montana, western North Dakota, and north-central South Dakota. The drought has expanded eastward and southward to include eastern parts of the Dakotas and northeastern Nebraska.

Field reports indicated that crop conditions are declining and hay shortages are becoming more common. Topsoil moisture has dried out considerably. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin for July 11th, the percent of topsoil moisture rated short to very short for states in the region experiencing drought is as follows: Montana (89%), South Dakota (79%), Nebraska (65%), North Dakota (62%), Wyoming (52%). Pasture conditions have also suffered, as more than half of pastures were in poor to very poor condition across Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Spring wheat condition in the three states continued to decline, as roughly two-thirds of Montana and South Dakota's spring wheat crop was in poor to very poor condition.

The Weather Prediction Center's 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) does not look promising for significant rainfall to relieve drought conditions, as no more than one-half inch is predicted. Temperatures are expected to remain above normal through the next 10 days.