Drought conditions worsened across parts of the Midwest and High Plains last week, with severe drought expanding into northwestern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota, while southern Kansas and southeastern Colorado faced rapid deterioration due to heat and dry weather, though some areas received relief from scattered showers and organized storms.
- Severe drought (D3) expanded into northwestern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota, while Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio remained drought-free
- Southern Kansas and southeastern Colorado experienced rapid drought worsening due to high temperatures and dry weather affecting agriculture
- An amplified ridge-trough pattern brought late summer heat to the West and south-central U.S., with storm activity focused over Nebraska, Missouri, and the eastern Corn Belt
- Forecast shows a ridge shifting eastward, moving excessive heat to the East while south-central U.S. faces continued heat stress and potential drought expansion
- Light to moderate precipitation expected in the Midwest with seasonal storms lingering in the Southeast before drier weather arrives
The Midwest and High Plains saw a patchwork of drought conditions last week, with some areas receiving relief while others faced worsening dryness, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor. The U.S. Drought Monitor is produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and NASA.
Midwest: Showers ease some areas but drought expands elsewhere
Following heavy rainfall the previous week, lighter showers and milder temperatures moved across much of the Midwest. Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio remained drought-free, while parts of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin saw some relief from scattered showers.
However, dryness persisted in portions of Minnesota, western and northern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. These areas experienced worsening drought conditions, with severe drought (D3) expanding into northwestern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota.
High Plains: Heat and dryness deepen drought in some spots
The High Plains experienced a mix of drought relief and deterioration. Southern Kansas and southeastern Colorado faced rapid drought worsening as dry weather and high temperatures increased stress on agriculture.
Further north, widespread storms brought relief east of the Front Range in eastern Colorado. Still, drought conditions worsened in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Wyoming, where water supplies are strained following a limited snowpack last spring.
Central Nebraska saw drought reduction thanks to organized storms along the northern edge of the ridge pattern. South Dakota mostly held steady, with small areas of degradation near its borders with North Dakota and Minnesota.
North Dakota faced more widespread drought worsening due to sparse rainfall, except for a narrow storm that passed through the northeastern corner of the state.
Weather patterns and outlook
Last week’s weather featured an amplified ridge-trough pattern over North America, bringing late summer heat to the West and south-central U.S., while milder temperatures spread across the Corn Belt and Northeast.
The ridge’s north side focused storm activity over Nebraska and Missouri, with several rounds of storms hitting the eastern Corn Belt and parts of the mid-Atlantic and southern New England.
Looking ahead, a ridge centered over the western U.S. is expected to shift eastward, moving hotter conditions to the East while easing extreme heat in the West. Excessive heat will likely persist across the south-central U.S., which could drive further drought expansion.
Monsoon activity is expected to continue in Arizona, with moisture extending into Utah and parts of the northern Rockies. Southern California may see early-season precipitation, but rainfall in the South is forecast to be too light to offset ongoing drought.
Light to moderate precipitation is expected in the Midwest, while seasonal storms will linger in the Southeast before drier weather moves in. The Eastern Seaboard will see storminess early in the week, followed by drier conditions, with unsettled weather possibly returning late in the week.
Temperatures are forecast to be below normal in the Northwest and above normal across much of the rest of the continental U.S., with the highest chances for excessive heat in the south-central and southeastern states.
The precipitation outlook shows slightly better chances for above-normal rainfall in the western U.S. and New England, with near-normal precipitation elsewhere.
