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 - April 23, 2020
Author: Emily Brown - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2020-04-23 17:55:54
Updated:
Due to persistent dryness, several degradations in drought conditions occurred this week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Areas of severe drought (D2) were expanded in southern Colorado and southwestern Kansas. Abnormally dry (D0) conditions were introduced in western North Dakota, northwestern South Dakota, southern Nebraska, and northern Kansas, along with a pocket in northeastern South Dakota.
As of April 22nd, snow water equivalent (SWE) values in Colorado basins were reported as near to above median except for the Upper Rio Grande Basin, resulting in a statewide snowpack of 107% of median. As of April 23rd, SWE values in Wyoming basins were also reported as near to above median, with the exception of the Sweetwater and Belle Fourche basins.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures throughout the High Plains. Chances for below-normal precipitation are present in Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and most of South Dakota. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that precipitation will occur in most of the High Plains. The greatest amounts are expected in southeastern Kansas.
