High Plains Weekly Drought Update - October 29, 2020

Cooler temperatures and much-needed precipitation eased drought conditions in portions of the region this past week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought (D3) was reduced in small areas of western Nebraska, northern Wyoming, and central and southern Colorado. Northeastern Wyoming experienced reductions in severe drought (D2), while moderate drought (D1) was trimmed in western and northern South Dakota, southeastern Kansas, and northwestern Wyoming. Despite the improvements, D2 and D1 conditions spread further across North Dakota after missing the precipitation. D3, D2, and D1 conditions all expanded slightly in southeastern South Dakota. Other minor improvements and degradations to drought and abnormally dry conditions occurred across the region as well.
 
According to the October 27th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, all states in the High Plains continued to have at least a third of pastures rated as poor or very poor. Wyoming pastures were faring worst in the High Plains, with 71% of pastures rated as poor to very poor. Soybean and corn harvest across the High Plains remained ahead of the five-year average, especially in the Dakotas. Winter wheat conditions were struggling in drought-stricken areas of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, with over 20% of wheat rated as poor to very poor. Despite improvements from last week’s precipitation, more than 50% of topsoil and subsoil moisture rated short to very short in all High Plains states.

The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures throughout the entire High Plains. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present across most of the High Plains region, with the exception of western North Dakota, northern Wyoming, southern Colorado, and southwestern Kansas. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast predicts a very dry week for most of the High Plains. Areas with the best chance for precipitation include central and eastern North Dakota, extreme northeastern South Dakota, and southeastern Kansas.