Weekly High Plains Drought Update - September 7, 2017

Over the past week, temperatures were above normal in western U.S. and below normal in the eastern U.S. The High Plains Region was right along the dividing line with areas of Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming having temperature departures of up to 6-9°F above normal and areas of eastern Kansas and Nebraska in the 3-6°F below normal range. It was generally dry across the region this week. Wildfires continued to burn across the west, causing evacuations and reduced air quality. Although showers moved across parts of the Dakotas this week, total amounts were generally under a half inch. Overall, drought conditions changed little from last week, with about 43% of the Northern Plains region in Moderate to Exceptional Drought (D1-D4). One-category improvements were made in some areas of south-central North Dakota, northeastern Nebraska, and western Colorado. However, drought conditions deteriorated in locations in central Montana, northern North Dakota, and southwestern South Dakota.

According to the Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF), little relief to ongoing drought conditions is expected over the next 7 days. Total amounts across the Dakotas and the eastern half of Montana are expected to be generally below a quarter of an inch. Meanwhile, western Montana has a chance at accumulations of up to an inch. Although rain would be a welcome sight, especially in the areas affected by wildfires, lightning from thunderstorms could be a concern.