High Plains Weekly Drought Update - June 6, 2019

Continued dryness and above-normal temperatures led to the expansion and intensification of drought conditions in North Dakota this week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry (D0) conditions were expanded and moderate drought (D1) conditions were introduced due to several factors, including short-term precipitation deficits, stressed pastures, low stock ponds, and dry topsoil. As for improvements, a pocket of D0 was eliminated in west-central Wyoming.

Saturated soils limited the number of suitable days for fieldwork in the High Plains this past week. Planting of corn and soybeans still remained behind the 5-year average throughout the region, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. South Dakota remained well behind, having planted 52% less corn and 68% fewer soybeans than their 5-year average.

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