Nationwide
The last seven days were highlighted by dryness over much of the West, a continued active pattern bringing substantial rains to the southern Plains, and a wet week over much of the Mid-Atlantic and portions of the Midwest.
Texas again stood out with several rain events that brought with them localized flooding. The long-term drought signal persists in portions of southern Texas, as recharge to depleted water systems has been slow, despite the recent rainfall in the region. Above-normal precipitation was recorded from eastern Nebraska through Illinois, bringing some much-needed rain to parts of northern Illinois. With the active rain pattern, temperatures over the southern Plains were 2-4 degrees below normal from Texas to Kansas and Nebraska, while much of the West was 4-6 degrees above normal, with the greatest departures in Arizona and the Pacific Northwest. Warmer-than-normal temperatures dominated much of the eastern portions of the Midwest and the Northeast, where temperatures were 6-8 degrees above normal.
The West
Temperatures for the week were warmer than normal over the region with departures of 4-6 degrees above normal. The only areas that were at or below normal were the coastal areas of California and eastern New Mexico.
Much of the area remained dry, with only some spotty monsoonal moisture present over the Southwest. Some areas of Montana received some much-needed rain, but conditions have been generally dry in that region. Degradation dominated the region this week, with no areas showing improvements on the map. Severe and extreme drought were expanded over western Colorado, while moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions were expanded over much of central Wyoming. In northern Utah, severe drought expanded while a new area of extreme drought was introduced. Much of the panhandle of Idaho and central portions of the state experienced full category degradation, while severe and extreme drought expanded over western portions of Montana. Moderate and severe drought expanded over much of Washington and Oregon, and severe drought expanded over northeast Nevada.
The High Plains
Temperatures were mixed over the region, with the northern and western areas 2-4 degrees above normal, while the southern and eastern areas were 2-4 degrees below normal for the week.
The wettest areas this week were in southwest Kansas, northeast Nebraska and portions of northeast Colorado, where over 200% of normal rain was recorded. Dryness persisted in eastern Wyoming, as well as in areas of the Dakotas and northeastern Kansas. The wetter pattern over Nebraska over the past several weeks has allowed for continued improvement in the state’s drought. A full category improvement was made over most of central and northeast Nebraska and into portions of southern South Dakota. Moderate drought and abnormally dry conditions improved over northeast Colorado, while abnormally dry conditions expanded over northeast Kansas.
The South
The wettest areas of the region were over central and eastern Texas as well as into portions of eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
Dry conditions were mostly over west and southern Texas and along the Oklahoma border in northern Texas. With the rain, temperatures were cooler than normal over much of Texas, with some areas of central Texas 3-5 degrees below normal for the week. Only eastern Arkansas and southern Texas were at or above normal for the week. Abnormally dry conditions were improved over southwest Arkansas, while much of central Texas had the drought intensities reduced due to the ongoing rains. Some areas of Texas recorded enough rain that a multiple-category improvement was made. — UNL Drought Monitor
