This is Archived Content. It may not meet current accessibility standards or contain working links. It is being provided for historical, research, or recordkeeping purposes. Please Contact Us if you have any questions regarding this content or its limitations.
High Plains Weekly Drought Update - February 20, 2020
Author: Gannon Rush - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2020-02-20 20:50:46
Updated:
Recent precipitation and gradual improvement in conditions over the past few months aided in the reduction of drought and dryness across the High Plains this past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Abnormally dry (D0) conditions were removed from western Wyoming and reduced in north-central Wyoming after recent precipitation. D0 conditions were slightly trimmed in central Colorado after snow fell this past week. In central Kansas, moderate drought (D1) and D0 conditions were reduced after light precipitation fell across the area.
Snow water equivalent (SWE) values in Colorado basins were reported as near or above median, resulting in a statewide snowpack of 112% of median. With a couple of exceptions, Wyoming’s SWE values were also reported as near or above median, with the state as a whole at 113% of median.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures throughout most of the High Plains. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present for the entire High Plains region. The 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that precipitation will occur throughout the High Plains except for portions of the eastern Dakotas and west-central Wyoming. The greatest amounts are expected throughout Kansas and southeastern Nebraska.
