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High Plains Weekly Drought Update - January 24, 2019
Author: Emily Brown - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2019-01-24 17:21:33
Updated:
An active storm pattern this week brought above-normal precipitation across a majority of the High Plains. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions improved throughout Colorado, including the reduction of severe (D2), extreme (D3), and exceptional (D4) drought conditions in the southern and western portions of the state. The area of D2 conditions in southern Wyoming was reduced as well.
Statewide, Colorado snowpack rose above normal, thanks to plentiful snowfall that improved drought conditions in the western part of the state. Abundant precipitation in Wyoming helped improve statewide snowpack conditions so that conditions were closer to normal as well.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances of below-normal temperatures throughout most of the High Plains region. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in North Dakota, South Dakota, and northeastern Wyoming. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation exist across Colorado, Kansas, much of Wyoming, and southern Nebraska. According to the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, precipitation is likely in the Dakotas and northern Nebraska, as well as mountainous regions of Colorado and Wyoming.
