High Plains Weekly Drought Update - July 16, 2020

Drought conditions continued to deteriorate, especially in southwestern parts of the High Plains, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought (D3), severe drought (D2), and moderate drought (D1) all expanded in western Colorado this past week after another week of hot and dry conditions. D2 conditions expanded in northeastern Colorado and south-central Kansas after continued dryness. D1 expanded in northeastern Nebraska as well. A large area of abnormally dry conditions (D0) was introduced to northern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming, and the Nebraska Panhandle. On the other hand, recent precipitation improved D1 conditions in western and central North Dakota and southwest South Dakota. Small adjustments to drought and abnormally dry conditions were made elsewhere throughout the High Plains.
 
According to the July 14th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, pasture conditions have continued to deteriorate across the High Plains. The percent of pastureland rated poor to very poor was 44% in Colorado, 36% in Wyoming, and 22% in Kansas. Winter wheat harvest is ahead of the 5-year average in all states except for South Dakota. Corn conditions are, for the most part, faring well across the region except for Colorado, where 24% of corn was rated as being in poor or very poor condition. The percentage of topsoil and subsoil moisture that was rated short to very short increased in both Colorado and Wyoming.
 
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures across Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and southern South Dakota. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present across the majority of North Dakota, northeastern South Dakota, southwestern Wyoming, and western Colorado, while increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present in Kansas, eastern Colorado, and southern Nebraska. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that precipitation will occur throughout the High Plains except for western Wyoming, with the greatest amounts expected in southwestern South Dakota.