High Plains Weekly Drought Update - February 13, 2020

Both improvements and degradations in drought conditions occurred during the past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Slight expansion occurred in severe drought (D2), moderate drought (D1), and abnormally dry (D0) conditions in southwest Kansas and southeast Colorado after continued dryness in the area. Meanwhile, above-normal snowpack resulted in a reduction of D1 and D0 conditions across southwest Wyoming and northwest Colorado.

Snow water equivalent (SWE) values in Colorado basins were reported as above median, resulting in a statewide snowpack of 115% of median. Wyoming’s SWE values were reported as near or above median, with the state as a whole at 117% of median.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures in Colorado, Wyoming, most of Kansas, and the Nebraska Panhandle, while above-normal temperatures are expected throughout much of North Dakota. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in Wyoming, the Dakotas, most of Nebraska, eastern Kansas, and northwest Colorado. Meanwhile, increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in drought-stricken areas of extreme southwest Kansas and southern Colorado. The 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts the precipitation will occur throughout the High Plains except for much of Kansas and central Nebraska, with the greatest amounts expected in the mountainous areas of Colorado and Wyoming.