Agricultural News
U.S. Drought Monitor Map Shows Dryness Expanding in Oklahoma, Kansas And Colorado.
Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:27:43 CDT
Looking at the rain starved Oklahoma Panhandle and surrounding region on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map and concern grows as the areas of abnormally dry and severe drought expands.
Temperatures across the High Plains were generally warmer than normal last week with departures of 2 to 6 inches above normal. Much of the region received less than 0.5 inches of precipitation.
Moderate and severe drought (D1 and D2) expanded over eastern Colorado. This area has not received timely spring rains. Across the entire High Plains region, local drought experts are discussing the emerging dryness and are closely monitoring the situation as planting begins and the need for moisture increases.
Particularly concerning is the increasing strength of the dryness to the west and southwest combined with above normal temperatures.
The area of abnormally dry has increased for Oklahoma this week, now covering 14 percent of the state, all in the western section, an increase of more than 3 percent from last week, but still below the 18.6 percent from three months ago.
We have seen some improvement in Beaver County from last week. However, the abnormally dry sector has now encompassed all of Dewey County, much of Blaine County and edged into Kingfisher County.
There is no extreme drought showing on the Oklahoma map.
Unfortunately, looking ahead to the next 7 days, the National Weather Service precipitation map does not show much relief for the Oklahoma Panhandle.
Click here for the 7-day precipitation outlook.
Click here for the latest Drought Monitor Map of Oklahoma.
Click here for the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook Map.
Click here for this week's U.S. Drought Monitor map.
Click here for the Climate Prediction Center map for May precipitation.
The U.S. Drought Monitor Map is developed through a partnership between the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
