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High Plains Weekly Drought Update - October 18, 2019
Author: Natalie Umphlett - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2019-10-18 19:32:34
Updated:
Drought conditions expanded across western Kansas this past week, while other areas of the High Plains region remained unchanged. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, severe drought (D2) was introduced to southwestern Kansas after another week of dry conditions. In addition, moderate drought (D1) and abnormally dry (D0) conditions also expanded in the area. Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota all remain free of drought or abnormally dry conditions.
The harvest season continues to be slow, especially in the Dakotas.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperature across the High Plains. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present across much of the region, including the Dakotas, central and eastern Wyoming, central and eastern Colorado, and western portions of Nebraska and Kansas. Meanwhile, there are increased chances of below-normal precipitation in western areas of Colorado and Wyoming, central and eastern Nebraska, and the majority of Kansas. According to the 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast, precipitation is possible across the majority of the High Plains. Little to no precipitation is expected in the drought-stricken areas of western Kansas and southeast Colorado. The greatest amounts of precipitation are expected in northwestern Wyoming.
