High Plains Weekly Drought Update - September 17, 2020

Recent precipitation and cooler temperatures aided in the improvement of drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought (D3) and severe drought (D2) were reduced in central and eastern Colorado after above-normal precipitation fell in the area. Moderate drought (D1) was removed and abnormally dry (D0) conditions were reduced in southeastern Kansas. D3, D2, D1, and D0 conditions were all reduced in eastern and central Nebraska after much-needed precipitation. D3, D2, and D1 conditions were reduced in eastern Wyoming as well. Meanwhile, D1 expanded into central North Dakota, and D2 was introduced in northwestern North Dakota and southeastern South Dakota. Other minor improvements and degradations to drought and abnormally dry conditions occurred across the region as well.
 
According to the September 15th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, pasture conditions remained the same in Colorado but degraded slightly in Wyoming. All states in the High Plains now have over 20% of pastures rated as poor or very poor. Soybean conditions across the High Plains were generally in good shape. Corn conditions were, for the most part, faring well across the region except for Colorado, where 33% of corn was rated as being in poor or very poor condition. Topsoil and subsoil moisture were faring the worst in Colorado and Wyoming, after Nebraska and Kansas saw improvement to topsoil moisture conditions this week.
 
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures across the majority of the High Plains. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in southwestern Colorado. Meanwhile, increased chances for below-normal precipitation are favored for Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, the majority of Wyoming, and eastern and extreme northern Colorado. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast indicates that much of the High Plains will be dry over the next week, with the exception of western Wyoming and mountainous areas of Colorado.