Weekly High Plains Drought Update - July 5, 2018

Warm temperatures and pockets of heavy rainfall were common across the High Plains region this week. After repeated thunderstorms in east-central South Dakota, the areas of moderate drought (D1) and severe drought (D2) conditions were reduced to abnormally dry (D0) conditions on the U.S. Drought Monitor. In western North Dakota, several rounds of thunderstorms prompted the removal of D0 conditions and a reduction in area of D2 and D1 conditions. D0 conditions were also removed from south-central and extreme southeast Nebraska. Areas of extreme drought (D3) conditions were trimmed in south-central Kansas near Wichita. Northwest Colorado and southern Wyoming continued to remain dry, which prompted the expansion of D0 and D1 conditions. Dryness continued in eastern Kansas, which led to an expansion of D2 conditions over the area.

Heavy rains in North Dakota and Nebraska improved topsoil moisture conditions statewide. However, despite some areas receiving beneficial rainfall in South Dakota, statewide topsoil moisture conditions declined slightly during the past week. Pasture conditions improved in Colorado, Kansas, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook favors above-normal temperatures for the High Plains region. Chances for above-normal precipitation are present in western Colorado and southwest Wyoming while the Dakotas, most of Nebraska, and northern portions of Kansas and Wyoming all have increased chances for below-normal precipitation. The 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast indicates a likelihood of precipitation for the High Plains region, with the greatest amounts expected in drought-stricken areas of southwest Colorado.