High Plains Weekly Drought Update - January 3, 2019

It was a cold, wet week throughout the High Plains region. This precipitation aided in the improvement of drought conditions.  According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry (D0) conditions were removed from southern Kansas and southeast Colorado after beneficial precipitation fell. D0 conditions were trimmed back in western Wyoming after snowpack increased. The Dakotas experienced improvements after snowfall helped decrease long-term precipitation deficiencies. For instance, D0 was trimmed from central and northwestern South Dakota, while areas in moderate drought (D1) and D0 conditions were reduced across central North Dakota. However, D0 conditions were expanded in southwestern North Dakota saw a slight expansion of D0 conditions. 

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook indicates increased chances of above-normal temperatures throughout the High Plains. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in North Dakota, northern Wyoming, and western South Dakota. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, southern Wyoming, and southeast South Dakota. According to the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, precipitation is likely in eastern Kansas, western and northeast Colorado, western Wyoming, and northeast North Dakota. The greatest amounts of precipitation are expected in the Colorado and Wyoming Rockies.