High Plains Weekly Drought Update - June 27, 2019

Beneficial precipitation aided in the improvement of drought conditions in North Dakota. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, sufficient precipitation occurred in north-central North Dakota that resulted in the reduction of moderate drought (D1) and severe drought (D2) conditions. Abnormally dry (D0) conditions remained in western Wyoming this week, while the rest of the High Plains remained drought free.

The emergence of soybeans and corn continued to stray behind the 5-year average this past week. Due to below-normal temperatures and excessive spring precipitation, South Dakota planting was well behind. According to the June 25th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, corn emergence was 20% behind the 5-year average, while soybean emergence was 39% behind the average. Despite beneficial precipitation improving topsoil moisture conditions in North Dakota during the past week, the percent of subsoil that was rated short to very short continued to rise. Meanwhile, soil moisture was above the 99th percentile in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.  

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures in the eastern High Plains, while Wyoming and western Colorado have increased chances for below-normal temperatures. Increased chances of above-normal precipitation are present throughout most of the High Plains, although below-normal precipitation is expected in extreme southwestern Colorado. According to the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, precipitation is likely in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Colorado, northern Kansas, and eastern Wyoming. The greatest amounts are expected in drought-stricken northwest North Dakota.