High Plains Weekly Drought Update - June 25, 2020

Continued dryness across some areas of the High Plains led to the expansion of drought and abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Severe drought (D2) conditions were introduced in north-central Wyoming and central North Dakota, while moderate drought (D1) and abnormally dry conditions (D0) were expanded across Wyoming and western portions of the Dakotas. D2, D1, and D0 conditions all expanded across northeastern Colorado, and D1 and D0 expanded in southwestern Nebraska and northwestern Kansas as well. D0 conditions were broadened across eastern Kansas and expanded in small areas of eastern Nebraska. Improvements in D2, D1, and D0 conditions occurred in central Kansas, and slight improvements occurred throughout eastern Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, and western Wyoming after receiving beneficial precipitation this past week.
 
According to the June 23rd USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, pasture conditions remained in relatively good shape across the High Plains except for Colorado, where 48% of pastures were in poor or very poor condition. Winter wheat conditions in Colorado and Kansas continued to fare worst in the region, with 37% and 23% of winter wheat conditions rated as poor to very poor, respectively. The percentage of topsoil and subsoil moisture that was rated short to very short decreased in Kansas but increased in Wyoming and the Dakotas.
 
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures across western and central portions of Wyoming and Colorado. Meanwhile, increased chances of above-normal temperatures are present across most of Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present across Wyoming, Nebraska, the Dakotas, the majority of Kansas, and northern Colorado, while increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in southern Colorado. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that precipitation will occur in all states, with the greatest amounts occurring across North Dakota.