High Plains Weekly Drought Update - October 15, 2020

Warm and dry conditions led to the continued expansion of drought and abnormally dry conditions across the High Plains, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Continued dryness led to the expansion of extreme drought (D3), severe drought (D2), and moderate drought (D1) across northern and eastern Wyoming into western South Dakota and the panhandle of Nebraska. D2 and D1 expanded in central and eastern Colorado, with the state now completely in drought conditions. In North Dakota, D2 and D1 conditions spread across the southwestern part of the state. Abnormally dry (D0) or drought conditions now completely cover the state of Kansas. Other minor degradations to drought and abnormally dry conditions occurred across the region as well. The lone improvements occurred in northeastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota, where D3 conditions were reduced after precipitation fell in the area.
 
According to the October 14th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, all states in the High Plains now have at least 30% of pastures rated as poor or very poor. Wyoming pastures were faring worst in the High Plains, with 70% of pastures rated as poor to very poor. Soybean and corn harvest across the High Plains was ahead of the five-year average. Topsoil and subsoil moisture continued to fare the worst in Colorado and Wyoming, with both states having over 80% of topsoil and subsoil moisture rated poor to very poor.
 
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for below-normal temperatures throughout the majority of the High Plains. Increased chances for above-normal precipitation are present in all states except for central and southern Colorado. Meanwhile, below-normal precipitation is favored in southwestern Colorado. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts that some precipitation could occur across much of the region, with the greatest amounts possible in northern Wyoming.