National Weather Service Text Product Display

Drought Information Statement
Issued by NWS Goodland, KS
Versions: 1 2 3 4
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AXUS73 KGLD 051423
DGTGLD
COC017-063-125-KSC023-039-063-065-071-109-137-153-179-181-193-199-
203-NEC057-087-145-121430-

Drought Information Statement
National Weather Service Goodland KS
823 AM MDT Wed May 5 2021 /923 AM CDT Wed May 5 2021/

...LITTLE CHANGE TO DROUGHT STATUS IN APRIL...

SYNOPSIS...

.SUMMARY OF IMPACTS...

Little change was noted in the drought status for the Tri State
area in April. Severe drought continued in southwest Nebraska.
moderate drought continued across western areas while little to no
drought was occurring in eastern areas. Precipitation amounts for
the month of April were below normal, with the highest deficits in
southwest Nebraska, including McCook which was nearly 2 inches
below normal for the month. Other areas were around a half inch to
inch below normal. The main impacts of the dry conditions
continued to be occasional wildfires on dry and windy days.
Blowing dust was also a problem on very windy days or near
stronger thunderstorms producing wind.

The latest drought monitor was issued on April 29, 2021.

Drought intensity is rated on a scale from D0 (abnormally dry) to
D4 (exceptional).

EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT (D4) was occurring in the following counties:
None.

EXTREME DROUGHT (D3) was occurring in the following counties:

None.

SEVERE DROUGHT (D2) was occurring in the following counties:

In northeast Colorado: Cheyenne.

In southwest Nebraska: Dundy,Red Willow,Hitchcock.

MODERATE DROUGHT (D1) was occurring in the following counties:

In northeast Colorado: Yuma,Kit Carson.

In northwest Kansas:
Greeley,Cheyenne,Wallace,Rawlins,Logan,Sherman,Wichita.

ABNORMALLY DRY (D0) was occurring in the following counties:

In northwest Kansas: Decatur,Sheridan,Gove,Norton,Thomas,Graham.

FIRE DANGER...

The fire danger is beginning to decrease due to spring green-up
and lack of fuels. Nonetheless, elevated fire weather conditions
will be possible on dry and windy days.

AGRICULTURAL...

Agricultural impacts appear to be spotty across the area. The
latest Kansas Crop Progress and Condition report issued by the
USDA shows around 27 percent of topsoil and subsoil moisture rated
short or very short, while 73 percent was rated adequate or
better. The latest Crop Moisture Index for the week ending May 1
shows only slightly dry conditions across the area.

.PRECIPITATION AND TEMPERATURE OUTLOOKS...

The latest monthly outlook issued by the Climate Prediction Center
for May 2021, shows above normal temperatures and equal chances
for below normal, near normal or above normal precipitation.

The latest three month outlook issued by the Climate Prediction
Center for the months of May 2021 through July 2021, shows above
normal temperatures and below normal precipitation.

.SEASONAL DROUGHT OUTLOOK...

The current seasonal drought outlook is valid for April 15, 2021,
through July 31, 2021...

Drought conditions are expected to persist.

.NEXT ISSUANCE DATE:

This product will be updated by the 5th of each month as long as
drought persists across the area.

.RELATED WEB SITES:

Additional information on current drought conditions may be found
at the following web addresses:
US Drought Monitor: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu
US Drought Information System: https://www.drought.gov
NOAA Drought Page: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/Drought
High Plains Regional Climate Center: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu

Climate Prediction Center: http://www.cpc.noaa.gov

Drought Outlook:
http://www.cpc.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/
sdo_summary.php

Kansas Crop Weather:
http://www.nass.usda.gov/statistics_by_state/kansas/publications/
crop_progress_and_condition/index.php

Additional water and river information:
NWS: https://water.weather.gov
OWP: https://water.noaa.gov
US Geological Survey (USGS): https://water.usgs.gov
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE): https://www.usace.army.mil

.ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

The US Drought Monitor is produced 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

.CONTACT INFORMATION:

If you have questions or comments about this Drought Information
Statement, please contact:

National Weather Service
920 Armory Road
Goodland KS 67735
Phone...785-899-2360

$$
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
