United States and Puerto Rico Author(s):
Pacific Islands and Virgin Islands Author(s):
Estimated Population in Drought Areas:
On this week’s map, one-category degradations were made in Kansas where precipitation has been below normal during the past 90-day period with the greatest departures (4 to 5 inches) observed in south-central and eastern Kansas. Moreover, stream gages on numerous creeks and rivers in central and eastern Kansas were reporting much below-normal flows (< 10th percentile), according to the USGS. In terms of impacts, the USDA reported (4/21/24) that 26% of the winter wheat crop in Kansas was rated in poor to very poor condition. In addition to dry conditions, average temperatures across the Plains states have been well above normal levels (ranging from 4 to 8+ degrees F) during the past 90 days with the greatest anomalies observed in far eastern portions of the region. In North Dakota Climate Division 6 (East Central Division), the December-March period was the 2nd warmest on record with an +11.6 degrees F anomaly, according to NOAA NCEI. In northeastern Nebraska and northwestern South Dakota, shorter-term improvements in drought-related conditions led to reductions in areas of Abnormally Dry (D0) and Moderate Drought (D1). For the week, average temperatures were below normal (2 to 10+ degrees F) with the greatest departures observed in western portions of the Dakotas and Nebraska as well as along the eastern plains of Wyoming and Montana. Overall, the region was generally dry during the past week except for a few areas that benefitted from isolated shower activity in northeastern Kansas, north central and northeastern Nebraska, and southwestern South Dakota.
Full Summary
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The National Drought Mitigation Center’s mission is to reduce the effects of drought on people, the environment and the economy by researching the science of drought monitoring and the practice of drought planning. We collaborate with and learn from decision-makers at all levels – individual ranchers, communities, regions, watersheds, tribes, states, countries – across the US and around the world. We organize and present workshops, writeshops and other capacity-building activities, in close cooperation with local partners.
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