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High Plains Weekly Drought Update - December 6, 2018
Author: Gannon Rush - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2018-12-06 21:08:01
Updated:
After a mixture of snowfall and rain this past week, drought conditions improved across the High Plains. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, many areas in drought experienced changes this week. In eastern Kansas, moderate drought (D1) conditions were removed and abnormally dry (D0) conditions were reduced after receiving a mixture of rain and snow this past week. D1 and D0 conditions were reduced in the Dakotas this week after beneficial snowfall helped improve long-term deficits. In western Colorado, exceptional drought (D4) and extreme drought (D3) conditions were reduced after recent precipitation improved long-term snowpack and precipitation deficits.
Mountain snowpack in Colorado continued to rise, with the statewide average of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) percentage above 116%. Basins in the southwest part of the state were below 90%, while basins in the rest of the state were above 100%. In Wyoming, the average SWE percentage was above 110%, with only basins in the central part of the state averaging below 90%.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances of above-normal temperatures in Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, eastern Wyoming, and central and eastern Colorado. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in the Dakotas and north-central Nebraska. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in eastern Kansas, western Colorado, western Wyoming, and southeast Nebraska. According to the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, precipitation is likely in eastern and southern Kansas, western Colorado, and western Wyoming.
