This is Archived Content. It may not meet current accessibility standards or contain working links. It is being provided for historical, research, or recordkeeping purposes. Please Contact Us if you have any questions regarding this content or its limitations.
Weekly High Plains Drought Update - August 9, 2018
Author: Gannon Rush - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2018-08-16 13:29:21
Updated:
Much of the region experienced below-normal temperatures, while warmer than normal conditions prevailed in western Colorado, western North Dakota, and eastern portions of Nebraska and Kansas. With the exception of southeastern South Dakota and a few smaller areas that received heavy precipitation, the region was dry. According to the U.S Drought Monitor, both improvements and degradations occurred this week. In Kansas, areas of the southwest saw the removal of abnormally dry (D0) conditions and some trimming of moderate drought (D1) and severe drought (D2) conditions. Southeast Colorado saw a reduction in areas of extreme drought (D3) and exceptional drought (D4) conditions after receiving beneficial rainfall. Areas of D1 conditions were upgraded to D0 in central Colorado and eastern South Dakota. Meanwhile, conditions in eastern Kansas continue to degrade, with the expansion of D1-D4 drought categories occurring. Southern Wyoming experienced the expansion of D2 and D1 conditions. In the Dakotas, several areas experienced the expansion and introduction of D1 and D0 conditions.
According to the USDA’s Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, statewide crop conditions did not change in the past week. Pasture conditions in Colorado degraded rapidly this week, with a slight degradation in conditions noted in the Dakotas. The percent of topsoil and subsoil moisture that is short to very short also increased in all states but Wyoming.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook indicates increased chances for above-normal temperatures in the majority of the High Plains this week. Increased chances of below-normal precipitation is present in the Dakotas, northern Wyoming, northeastern Colorado, northwestern Kansas, and the Nebraska panhandle. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in southern and eastern parts of Kansas, as well as southwestern Colorado. The 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast indicates the likelihood of precipitation across most of the High Plains, with the greatest amounts expected in Kansas and southwest Colorado.
