High Plains Weekly Drought Update - September 24, 2020

Warm and dry conditions led to the expansion of drought in several states this week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought (D3) was introduced to the Nebraska Panhandle, while severe drought (D2) expanded across this region as well as southwestern South Dakota after continued dryness in the area. D2, moderate drought (D1), and abnormally dry conditions (D0) expanded in central and eastern Nebraska. In North Dakota, D2 and D1 conditions expanded across the northern and central portions of the state after continued dryness. D1 conditions expanded slightly in both northeastern South Dakota and western Wyoming. The only improvements in drought conditions occurred in south-central Colorado, where D2 conditions were reduced slightly. Other minor improvements and degradations to drought and abnormally dry conditions occurred across the region as well.
 
According to the September 22nd USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, pasture conditions were worst in Colorado and Wyoming. All states in the High Plains now have at least 25% 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 35% of corn was rated as being in poor or very poor condition. This was rated the worst in the country.  Topsoil and subsoil moisture continued to fare the worst in Colorado and Wyoming.
 
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures across Kansas, along with central and eastern parts of Nebraska and the Dakotas. Increased chances for above-normal temperatures are present in Wyoming along with central and western Colorado. Meanwhile, increased chances for below-normal precipitation are favored throughout all of the High Plains. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast indicates that much of the High Plains will be dry again over the next week, except for southeastern Kansas, northwestern Wyoming, and northeastern North Dakota.