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 - May 7, 2020
Author: Gannon Rush - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2020-05-07 20:19:11
Updated:
Drought conditions intensified in southern Colorado and western Kansas this past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought (D3) was introduced in south-central Colorado, as well as southeastern Colorado and southwestern Kansas, after precipitation deficits continued to mount. Severe drought (D2) expanded across western Colorado and southwest Kansas, while moderate drought (D1) also expanded into central Kansas. Abnormally dry (D0) conditions were further expanded across central Kansas and into southeast Nebraska, along with northern Wyoming and western North Dakota. However, after heavy precipitation this past week, D2, D1, and D0 conditions were reduced in northeast Colorado. D0 conditions were also reduced across central South Dakota.
According to the May 5th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, pasture conditions were mostly in good shape across the High Plains. Winter wheat was faring well in Nebraska and South Dakota, but conditions in Colorado and Kansas were not as good. In Colorado, 34% of winter wheat was in poor to very poor condition, while 22% of the Kansas winter wheat crop was in poor to very poor condition. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions worsened throughout the High Plains. Colorado was faring worst with 49% of topsoil moisture and 38% of subsoil moisture rated short to very short, followed by Kansas, where 39% of topsoil moisture and 28% of subsoil moisture were rated short to very short.
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures throughout most of the High Plains, except for central and southern Colorado. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are also present throughout most of the High Plains, except for northern and eastern North Dakota where near-normal precipitation is expected, and extreme southwestern Colorado, where below-normal precipitation is anticipated. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that precipitation will occur in most of the High Plains, with the greatest amounts expected in eastern Kansas.
