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 - May 16, 2019
Author: Emily Brown - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2019-05-17 15:13:33
Updated:
Pockets of drought and abnormal dryness persisted throughout the High Plains this week, but several improvements throughout the region were indicated by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Above-normal precipitation in southern Colorado continued to improve long-term precipitation deficits in the area, ultimately leading to the removal of moderate drought (D1) conditions and a reduction of abnormally dry (D0) conditions. Reductions were made to D0 conditions in western Wyoming, while D0 was removed from southeastern Wyoming. The only degradation in drought conditions that occurred this week in the High Plains was a small expansion of D0 conditions on the western border of Wyoming.
Statewide snowpack in Colorado remained above normal, with the southern and southwestern basins above 150% of median. However, snowpack throughout Wyoming continued to be near to below normal, with the statewide Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) being near normal.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures in most of Kansas and southeastern Nebraska, while increased chances for below-normal temperatures are present throughout the rest of the High Plains. Increased chances of above-normal precipitation are present throughout the majority of the High Plains. According to the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, precipitation is likely throughout the High Plains, with the greatest amounts expected in the eastern Kansas.
