
This week's U.S. Drought Monitor report (August 14-20) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the United States Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration highlights significant variability in rainfall across the Midwest and Plains states, creating a patchwork of drought conditions that have led to serious agricultural and environmental challenges.
Midwest battles inconsistent weather patterns
In the Midwest, the weather has been a tale of contrasts. Parts of Missouri experienced intense thunderstorms, receiving over six inches of rain in localized areas, which brought some relief to drought-stricken regions. However, other areas like southeastern Ohio saw conditions deteriorate significantly. The region, already grappling with severe drought, faced further expansion of dry conditions due to insufficient rainfall.
Abnormal dryness also expanded in northern Indiana and northeast Illinois, while beneficial rains in Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin helped to reduce drought intensity in some parts. Despite these gains, Ohio reported severe drought impacts including dry creeks, low ponds, and stressed agriculture, with some crops failing completely.
High plains face growing drought concerns
The High Plains echoed the Midwest's mixed rainfall distribution. While parts of the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas received over two inches of rain, other areas were not as fortunate. Western and southern parts of the region experienced warmer temperatures and continued dryness, leading to an expansion of moderate to severe drought conditions, particularly in Kansas and Wyoming.
In South Dakota, the combination of drought and a late-June freeze event has severely impacted hay production and cattle operations, prompting early sales of livestock due to forage shortages. Wyoming reported that 75% of its topsoil moisture and 81% of its subsoil moisture were short or very short, exacerbating conditions for agriculture and increasing the risk of wildfires.
Southern plains suffer under heat and drought
Texas is experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit daily, exacerbating drought conditions and heightening wildfire risks. Similar conditions prevail across the southern Plains, significantly impacting soil moisture and stressing water resources.
Variable Precipitation Patterns Across the Country
While some regions like Connecticut and Long Island received over five inches of rain, providing much-needed relief, others like West Virginia and Pennsylvania saw conditions worsen. In West Virginia, severe drought conditions persist, affecting livestock and agriculture severely, with many areas lacking sufficient water for basic agricultural needs.
Northeast and Southeast: a mixed bag
The Northeast saw localized heavy rainfall, which helped reduce dryness in states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania. However, southern parts of New Jersey experienced expanding dry conditions. In the Southeast, states like Alabama and the Florida panhandle saw drought conditions worsen despite cooler temperatures in the northern parts.
West Coast and Rockies: A contrast in conditions
The West Coast and Rockies received above-normal precipitation, which helped alleviate some drought conditions. However, states like Washington and Oregon saw moderate to severe drought expansion due to missed rainfall.
Future outlook
Looking ahead, the Climate Prediction Center’s forecasts suggest that the pattern of warmer-than-normal temperatures will continue across the Plains, potentially exacerbating the drought conditions. Rainfall over the next week could bring some relief, particularly to the northern Rockies and parts of the central Plains, but large areas of the High Plains and Midwest are expected to see continued dry conditions.
As farmers and ranchers face these challenging conditions, the need for effective water management and drought mitigation strategies becomes increasingly crucial to safeguard the agricultural productivity and ecological health of the Midwest and Plains regions.