Local Drought Information
Last update on Wednesday, January 13, 2009.
Updated during the first week of each month, or more frequently if conditions warrant.
Summary: AREA REMAINS DROUGHT-FREE
In the January 6th release of the U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions were indicated in southwestern parts of the Tri State area. Elsewhere...no drought conditions were indicated.
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 March 2009...no drought is expected to develop in the Tri State area.
The image above is compliments of NOAA
Climatological Summary
December 2008
DECEMBER PRECIPITATION ACROSS THE TRI STATE AREA WAS GENERALLY
LIGHT. MOST LOCATIONS REPORTED LESS THAN A HALF INCH OF LIQUID
EQUIVALENT...WHICH IS ABOUT HALF OF NORMAL FOR DECEMBER. SPOTTY
REPORTS OF UP TO AN INCH CAME IN FROM PARTS OF THOMAS AND LOGAN
COUNTIES OF NORTHWEST KANSAS...FAR NORTHWESTERN YUMA COUNTY IN
COLORADO...AND EASTERN RED WILLOW COUNTY IN NEBRASKA.
DECEMBER 2008 RADAR ESTIMATED PRECIPITATION
More precipitation maps are available on the AHPS home page.
Agricultural Impacts
Ag reports will return in the spring
| Region |
Very Short |
Short |
Adequate |
Surplus |
| Northwest KS |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| West Central KS |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Nebraska |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Eastern CO |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Subsoil
| Region |
Very Short |
Short |
Adequate |
Surplus |
| Northwest KS |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| West Central KS |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Nebraska |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Eastern CO |
- |
- |
- |
- |
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.
|
