Weekly High Plains Drought Update - September 27, 2018

Cooler temperatures occurred in the northern High Plains, while in the south temperatures were warmer than normal this week. According to this week’s U.S Drought Monitor, drought conditions continued to worsen throughout the Plains. In eastern Kansas, extreme drought (D3) conditions expanded slightly along with the introduction of abnormally dry (D0) conditions to the southeast. Conditions in North Dakota remained nearly the same, with the only change being the introduction of a small patch of D3 conditions in the central part of the state. Northeast Wyoming and southwest South Dakota both saw the introduction of D0 conditions after continued dryness. Colorado saw degradations in several parts of the state. D0 conditions were introduced in the northeast, while in the northwest D3 conditions continued to expand north. In southwest Colorado, exceptional drought (D4) expanded. 

According to the USDA’s Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, crop conditions this week stayed nearly the same with the exception of corn conditions worsening slightly in South Dakota and Colorado. Pasture conditions worsened in Colorado and Wyoming as well. Pasture conditions improved in the Dakotas after some areas received much-needed rainfall.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook favors below-normal temperatures for the Dakotas, Wyoming, and the northern half of Nebraska, while above-normal temperatures are favored for much of the rest of the High Plains. Increased chances of above-normal precipitation are present throughout the entire High Plains. The 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast indicates the likelihood of precipitation throughout most of the High Plains, with the greatest amounts expected in southwest South Dakota and drought-stricken areas of eastern Kansas.