High Plains Weekly Drought Update - August 8, 2019

After another dry week across much of the High Plains, abnormal dryness expanded in several states. For instance, abnormally dry (D0) conditions expanded in central Kansas after most of the area received 0.50 inches or less of precipitation in the past 30 days.  D0 conditions also expanded slightly in eastern Nebraska. D0 was introduced in extreme southeast Wyoming as well as extreme southeast Colorado, spilling over into southwest Kansas. Also, moderate drought (D1) and D0 conditions were expanded in north-central North Dakota.   

Despite the lack of precipitation this past week, pasture conditions remained in good condition. However, soil moisture conditions continued to deteriorate in some areas of the region. For instance, Wyoming reported 51 percent of topsoil and 49 percent of subsoil as being rated short to very short. Despite variable rainfall during the past few weeks, crop conditions continued to remain in good shape

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures in Colorado, western Nebraska, western Kansas, southern Wyoming, and extreme southwestern South Dakota. Increased chances of below-normal temperatures are present in North Dakota, northern and eastern South Dakota, and extreme northeastern Nebraska and northwestern Wyoming. Above-normal precipitation is favored for Kansas, much of Nebraska and the Dakotas, and eastern Colorado. Below-normal precipitation is favored for a large portion of Wyoming, western and central Colorado, and extreme western Nebraska. According to the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, precipitation is likely across a majority of the High Plains with the greatest amounts expected in southern Nebraska and southeast Kansas.