Local Drought Information
Last update on Wednesday, June 13, 2009.
Updated during the first part of each month, or more frequently if conditions warrant.
Summary: CONTINUED WET IN MOST LOCATIONS
In the June 9th release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, no drought conditions were indicated across the entire Tri State area.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is a weekly collaborative effort between a number of federal agencies including NOAA/NWS, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Drought Mitigation Center.
| Abnormally Dry (D0) - Going into drought: short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops or pastures; fire risk above average. Coming out of drought: some lingering water deficits; pastures or crops not fully recovered. |
Moderate Drought (D1) - Some damage to crops, pastures: fire risk high; streams, reservoirs, or wells low, some water shortages developing or imminent, voluntary water use restrictions requested. |
| Severe Drought (D2) - Crop or pasture losses likely; fire risk very high; water shortages common: water restrictions imposed. |
Extreme Drought (D3) - Major crop/pasture losses: extreme fire danger; widespread water shortages or restrictions. |
| Exceptional Drought (D4) - Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; exceptional fire-risk; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells, creating water emergencies. |
State and Local Actions
No known actions at this time.
Seasonal Drought Outlook
VALID THROUGH August 2009...no drought forecast to develop in the Tri State area.
The image above is compliments of NOAA
Climatological Summary
May 2009
THE MAJORITY OF THE AREA CONTINUED A TREND OF ABOVE NORMAL
PRECIPITATION DURING MAY. HOWEVER THERE WERE SOME LOCATIONS THAT
FELL BELOW NORMAL FOR THE MONTH...INCLUDING SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 70
IN EASTERN COLORADO AND SOUTHWEST OF A GOODLAND TO RUSSELL SPRINGS
LINE IN NORTHWEST KANSAS. IN THOSE AREAS...PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS WERE
GENERALLY LESS THAN 3 INCHES FOR MAY...WHILE SOME LOCATIONS SOUTH OF
HIGHWAY 40 RECEIVED LESS THAN AN INCH. SINCE APRIL WAS QUITE WET IN
THOSE AREAS...THREE MONTH DEPARTURES-FROM-NORMAL FELL ONLY SLIGHTLY
AND REMAINED NEAR TO JUST BELOW NORMAL. ELSEWHERE...HEALTHY
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 3 TO 6 INCHES WERE REPORTED IN MAY...CONTINUING
A WET TREND FIRST ESTABLISHED IN THE SPRING.
MAY 2009 RADAR ESTIMATED PRECIPITATION
More precipitation maps are available at AHPS.
Agricultural Impacts
Reports from the first week of June 2009
top soil moisture by percent
| Region |
Very Short |
Short |
Adequate |
Surplus |
| Northwest KS |
0 |
4 |
92 |
4 |
| West Central KS |
0 |
0 |
100 |
0 |
| Nebraska |
2 |
15 |
77 |
6 |
| Eastern CO |
1 |
19 |
71 |
9 |
subsoil moisture by percent
| Region |
Very Short |
Short |
Adequate |
Surplus |
| Northwest KS |
0 |
7 |
88 |
5 |
| West Central KS |
0 |
0 |
100 |
0 |
| Nebraska |
3 |
18 |
77 |
2 |
| Eastern CO |
8 |
26 |
59 |
7 |
Information provided by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).
Soil moisture supply measures how much moisture is present in cropland top soil during the week. Soil moisture is reported as a percentage.
| Very Short - Soil moisture supplies are significantly less than what is required for normal plant development. Growth has been stopped or nearly so and plants are showing visible signs of moisture stress. Under these conditions, plants will quickly suffer irreparable damage. |
Short - Soil dry. Seed germination and/or normal crop growth and development would be curtailed. |
| Adequate - Soil moist. Seed germination and/or crop growth and development would be normal or unhindered. |
Surplus - Soil wet. Fields may be muddy and will generally be unable to absorb additional moisture. Young developing crops may be yellowing from excess moisture. |
Fire Danger Hazards  The image above is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index and is designed specifically for fire potential assessment. It is a continuous index, relating to the flammability of organic material in the ground.
0 to 200. Low- Wet with little danger of fire initiation.
201 to 400. Moderate- Drying occurring with some fire danger.
401 to 600. High- Ground cover dry and will burn readily.
601 to 800. Extreme- Dead and live fuels will burn readily.
Latest Drought Information Statement (text version) |
This page is under development. Please send comments or suggestions to:
Jerry. Killingsworth@noaa.gov
or call the Goodland forecast office.
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