Agricultural News
U.S. Drought Situation Improves With Late Winter Storms
Thu, 18 Mar 2021 14:02:07 CDT
Vigorous and slow-moving described an area of mid-level low pressure that tracked across the Central Great Plains during the past few days and the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map indicates a slight decrease in overall drought coverage.
Widespread precipitation (rain and snow totaling 2 to 6 inches, liquid equivalent) fell across the Central Rockies, Great Plains and Lower Missouri River Basin.
Severe weather with tornadoes and more than one inch of rainfall was recorded across the Texas Panhandle, resulting in a 1-category improvement extending into southwest Oklahoma. Rainfall up to 2.5 inches locally was recorded in southwest Oklahoma.
Based on short-term indicators, abnormal dryness (D0) and drought (D1-D3) were expanded across south-central Oklahoma and Texas as these areas missed out on the latest storm events.
To view the U.S. Drought map, click here.
For Oklahoma, warm and windy conditions followed by cool, wet and windy conditions changed the map from a week ago as the total area experiencing drought conditions has decreased to 48.05 percent this week. Last week that number was 52.34 percent.
It is expected the one slice of Extreme Drought (D3) in Cimarron County showing on the map may shrink on next week's map based on recent snowfall.
To view the Oklahoma drought map, click here.
Looking ahead, below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation are expected to further decrease drought conditions across Oklahoma.
To view the 6-10-day temperature outlook, click here.
To view the 6-10-day precipitation outlook, click here.
The 3-month temperature outlook map for March-April-May, shows above normal temperatures. To view this outlook map, click here.
A dry spring is forecast by NOAA in their 3-month precipitation outlook. To view this outlook, click here.
To view the latest seasonal drought outlook map, click here.
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.
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