High Plains Weekly Drought Update - December 10, 2020

It was another warm and dry week for the majority of the High Plains region. This led to the expansion and intensification of drought in several locations. For instance, severe (D2) and moderate (D1) drought expanded across portions of central Nebraska and southwestern North Dakota, while exceptional (D4) and extreme (D3) drought increased in coverage in eastern Colorado. Otherwise, drought conditions remained unchanged.
 
As of December 7th, Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) values in Colorado basins were reported as below median except for the Upper Rio Grande basin, resulting in a statewide snowpack of 76% of median. The Gunnison and Yampa and White basins were below 70% of median. As of December 10^th, the majority of Wyoming basins were below median, with the Lower North Platte and South Platte basins below 25% of median.
 
The Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook has increased chances for above-normal temperatures throughout the Dakotas, western Nebraska, western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and the majority of Wyoming except for the south-central part of the state. Increased chances for below-normal precipitation are present across Kansas, Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, as well as southern and eastern Colorado. Meanwhile, above-normal precipitation is favored for North Dakota, northern South Dakota, northwestern Colorado, and the majority of Wyoming. The National Weather Service’s 7-day Quantitative Precipitation Forecast indicates that light precipitation could occur across Colorado, Wyoming, and Kansas, as well as the majority of Nebraska and portions of South Dakota. Precipitation totals up to 0.75 inches could occur in eastern portions of Kansas and Nebraska, with even higher amounts possible in the mountainous areas of Colorado and Wyoming.