High Plains Weekly Drought Update - June 18, 2020

Hot and dry conditions this past week led to the expansion of dryness and drought conditions across the High Plains, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought (D3), severe drought (D2), and moderate drought (D1) conditions expanded across southern Colorado along with southern and western Kansas. D1 conditions were also expanded across central and southwestern Wyoming, southwestern and northwestern South Dakota, and western North Dakota. D1 was introduced to a small area in north-central Kansas. Abnormally dry (D0) conditions expanded in central and eastern Kansas, northeastern Colorado, southern and northeastern Nebraska, western and eastern South Dakota, western North Dakota, and central Wyoming. However, heavy precipitation reduced D2 and D1 conditions in west-central Kansas, while D0 conditions were reduced locally in southeastern Nebraska and western Wyoming.

According to the June 16th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, pasture conditions remained in relatively good shape across the High Plains except for Colorado, where 40% of pastures were in poor or very poor condition. Winter wheat in Colorado and Kansas continued to fare worst in the region, with 38% and 21% of winter wheat conditions rated as poor to very poor, respectively. The percentage of topsoil and subsoil moisture that is rated short to very short increased in all High Plains states.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures across central and eastern portions of Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, as well as southeastern North Dakota. Meanwhile, increased chances of above-normal temperatures are present across western and central areas of Wyoming and Colorado. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in much of the Dakotas southwestern Colorado, and extreme northeastern Wyoming, while increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in Kansas, most of Nebraska, and central and eastern portions of Colorado and Wyoming. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that precipitation will occur in all states, with the greatest amounts occurring across central and eastern portions of Kansas and Nebraska.