High Plains Weekly Drought Update - February 14, 2019

After a reevaluation of conditions by the U.S. Drought Monitor author this week, several areas of drought in the High Plains region were improved. The percent of normal precipitation in the past 30 days for South Dakota and southern North Dakota was much above normal and resulted in the removal of abnormally dry (D0) conditions in these areas. Drought conditions in western Colorado improved as well, with the reduction of severe (D2) and extreme (D3) drought conditions, as well as the lingering exceptional (D4) drought conditions in the southwestern basins of Colorado. However, dryness continued in central Wyoming, leading to the expansion of D0 conditions. 

Despite the expansion of abnormal dryness in central Wyoming, statewide snowpack improved to above normal and all basins in the state were near to above normal. Statewide snowpack in Colorado remained above normal this week as well.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances of below-normal temperatures throughout the High Plains region with Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and the Dakotas heavily favored for below-normal temperatures. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present throughout most of the High Plains region. According to the National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, precipitation is likely throughout the High Plains with the highest amounts expected in the mountainous regions of Colorado and Wyoming, as well as western and central South Dakota.