High Plains Weekly Drought Update - November 12, 2020

Much-needed precipitation in eastern areas of Nebraska and South Dakota led to improvements in drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Extreme drought (D3) and severe drought (D2) conditions were reduced in southeastern South Dakota, while D2 conditions were reduced in northeastern Nebraska. South-central South Dakota missed the precipitation, leading to the slight expansion of moderate drought (D1) and the introduction of D2. In North Dakota, D2 continued to spread across north-central portions of the state. Exceptional drought (D4) expanded slightly in southwestern Colorado as well.
 
According to the November 10th USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, soybean and corn harvest across the High Plains was near completion. Winter wheat conditions continued to struggle in drought-stricken areas of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, with over 20% of wheat rated as poor to very poor. Topsoil and subsoil moisture continued to be rather depleted, with 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 the Dakotas, eastern Kansas, northeastern Wyoming, and eastern and northern Nebraska. Meanwhile, above-normal precipitation is favored for extreme northwestern Wyoming. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast indicates that much of the High Plains will be rather dry over the next week, except for mountainous areas of western Wyoming and Colorado, as well as southeastern Kansas.