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.
High Plains Weekly Drought Update - December 13, 2018
Author: Gannon Rush - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2018-12-13 18:59:33
Updated:
It was a dry week across the High Plains. The only changes in drought conditions made this week on the U.S. Drought Monitor were to Kansas. Abnormally dry (D0) conditions were removed from eastern Kansas as ample precipitation during the past few weeks has allowed conditions to improve. Continued dryness in northern Oklahoma led to the introduction of D0 conditions that bled into extreme southeastern Kansas.
Although still above average statewide, mountain snowpack in Colorado and Wyoming declined slightly this week. In Colorado, the average Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) was 105% with the southwest portions of the state averaging below 90%, while the rest of the state averages above 100%. In Wyoming, the average SWE percentage was 103%, with central and extreme northwest portions of the state averaging below 90%.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances of above-normal temperatures throughout the entire High Plains region. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, and southern North Dakota. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in northern North Dakota. According to the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, it is expected to be a dry week across the region with the exception of eastern Kansas.
