High Plains Weekly Drought Update - July 18, 2019

Heavy precipitation greatly aided in the improvement of drought conditions in North Dakota this past week. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, severe (D2) drought conditions were removed while reductions to moderate (D1) drought and abnormally dry (D0) conditions were made. D0 was expanded slightly in west-central North Dakota. The rest of the High Plains remained drought-free.  

According to the USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, winter wheat harvest continued to remain behind this week in several states. The percent of soybeans that were blooming and the amount of corn that was silking also continued to remain behind the 5-year average this past week. Crop conditions remained near the same compared to last week. Subsoil and topsoil moisture rated short to very short increased in all states except North Dakota, where the soil moisture rated short to very short decreased this past week.

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