Agricultural News
Exceptional Drought Covers Forty Percent of Oklahoma- The Latest Map
Fri, 07 Sep 2012 05:54:42 CDT
According to Gary McManus with the Oklahoma Climatological Survey, decent rains have fallen across western Oklahoma over the last couple of days, a much-welcomed if somewhat unexpected drought-denter. Most of the totals hovered between a half-inch to an inch, although there were a few localized areas that appear to have received up to 2.5 inches according to radar estimates. However, these rains all fell after the 7am Tuesday cutoff time for this week's U.S. Drought Monitor map, so we'll deal with these rains on next week's map. More rain and cooler weather is right around the corner, so there is a great chance for reinforcing relief. The latest 5-day rainfall forecast from the HPC still sees a good half-inch to over an inch across the eastern half of the state, with a bit less across western Oklahoma.
As for this week's Oklahoma Drought Monitor- the map above shows some increase in the level of exceptional drought in Oklahoma- now standing at 40 percent, a slight increase from last week's 37 percent. So very little changed after last week's improvements. We had hoped to see large improvements across eastern Oklahoma with a little help from Hurricane Isaac, but he took his rainfall to the east in Arkansas and Missouri and then farther northeast.
With Isaac, the worst of the drought has moved a little further west- it was earlier centered in Arkansas and Missouri. Now, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska have become the centerpiece of the drought. Over 70% of Nebraska and 60% of Kansas are now in exceptional drought. With Oklahoma's numbers added in, 57% of these three states are now rated in the exceptional drought category. The map below shows radar estimated rainfall in the last 90 days- which tells the story of how dry it is.
As for today and this weekend- we have a front coming and Alan Crone with the News on 6 in Tulsa writes about it in his daily blog- "A strong cold front will enter the state today and bring a chance of shower and storms to the region. A few may be strong to severe this afternoon with damaging winds and hail the main threat. Temperatures before the front arrives will move into the 90s this afternoon with some triple digits likely along and south of I-40. The boundary will cross the northeastern Ok area between 2pm and 4pm bringing very strong winds from the north in the 20 to 40 mph range and the chance for some scattered storms. The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for portion of the area due to the expected strong north winds later this afternoon.
"Before the front arrives, we may see some scattered showers or storms at times this morning across northern OK and southern Kansas. These are not expected to be severe, but some gusty winds and lightning would be possible." Click here to read all of his ideas on the weather into next week for our region.
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