High Plains Weekly Drought Update - July 9, 2020

Both improvements and degradations in drought conditions occurred this past week across the High Plains, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. In western North Dakota and northwestern South Dakota, severe drought (D2) was removed and moderate drought (D1) conditions were reduced after beneficial precipitation this past week. Exceptional drought (D4) was removed from southeastern Colorado and southwestern Kansas after desperately needed precipitation. D1 conditions were introduced in northeastern Nebraska, eastern Kansas, and northeastern South Dakota. Minor adjustments to drought and abnormally dry conditions were made elsewhere around the High Plains.
 
According to the July 7th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, pasture conditions remained in relatively good shape across the High Plains except for Colorado and Wyoming, where 41% and 31% of pastures were in poor or very poor condition, respectively. Winter wheat conditions in Colorado continued to fare worst in the region, with 39% of winter wheat conditions rated as poor to very poor. Corn conditions are, for the most part, faring well across the region. The percentage of topsoil moisture that was rated short to very short decreased by 13% and 22% in Colorado and North Dakota, respectively.
 
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures across much of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, and extreme southeastern Wyoming. However, below-normal temperatures are favored for much of the rest of Wyoming, the western portions of the Dakotas, and extreme northwestern Nebraska. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present across North Dakota, the majority of South Dakota, and extreme northeastern Nebraska, while increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in Colorado, Kansas, the majority of Wyoming, and southern Nebraska. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that the highest amounts of precipitation will occur in the Dakotas, Nebraska, and eastern Kansas, while drought-stricken areas of Colorado, Wyoming, and western Kansas are expected to remain dry.