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High Plains Weekly Drought Update - December 5, 2019
Author: Emily Brown - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2019-12-06 16:56:00
Updated:
Little change in drought conditions occurred in the High Plains region this week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry (D0) and moderate drought (D1) conditions were expanded in southern Kansas, due to reports of low streamflow and poor winter wheat conditions. On the other hand, conditions in central Colorado were improved due to high snowpack. Areas of D0, D1, and severe drought (D2) conditions were reduced in areal coverage in central Colorado.
Snow water equivalent (SWE) values in Colorado were reported as near or above-median, resulting in the state snowpack as 114% of median. Wyoming’s SWE values were also reported near or above-median, with the state as a whole at 130% of median.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures for central and eastern Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, northeastern Wyoming, and eastern Kansas while eastern Colorado and extreme western Kansas have increased chances for above-normal temperatures. Above-normal precipitation is also favored throughout most of the High Plains, with the exception of western Colorado, which has increased chances for below-normal precipitation. The 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that precipitation is likely in Colorado, Wyoming, and the Dakotas. The greatest amounts are expected in the mountainous areas of Colorado.
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/jpg/20191203/20191203_High_Plains_text.jpg
