High Plains Weekly Drought Update - February 27, 2020

Much-needed precipitation in eastern Colorado and Kansas greatly aided in the improvement of drought conditions this past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Areas of moderate drought (D1) and abnormally dry (D0) conditions were removed from south-central Kansas after heavy precipitation fell this past week. In western Kansas and eastern Colorado, severe drought (D2), D1, and D0 conditions were reduced after recent precipitation eased long-term deficits. D0 conditions were reduced in central Colorado after recent precipitation, and D0 was removed from northern Wyoming due to a reevaluation of indicators.

As of February 27, snow water equivalent (SWE) values in Colorado basins were reported as near to above median, resulting in a statewide snowpack of 110% of median. As of February 24, Wyoming’s SWE values were reported as near or above median for most basins, with the state as a whole at 116% of median.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10-day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures in portions of Colorado, Wyoming, as well as western Kansas and the panhandle of Nebraska. Western North Dakota has increased chances for above-normal temperatures. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in southwest Wyoming and western Colorado. Meanwhile, increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in Kansas, southeast Nebraska, eastern Colorado, northeast Wyoming, and the western portions of the Dakotas. The 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that scattered precipitation will occur in all states with the greatest amounts occurring in southeast Kansas.