Tropical moisture from eastern Pacific hurricanes delivered substantial rainfall to Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska this week, leading to widespread drought improvements across the High Plains, 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..
The rapidly intensifying El Niño has been fueling numerous hurricanes in the East Pacific, with moisture from Hurricanes Odalys and Polo contributing to the beneficial rains that helped ease drought conditions across the region.
High Plains sees widespread relief
The High Plains states experienced almost exclusively drought improvements this week as many areas received beneficial rainfall. Despite temperatures running up to 6 degrees or more above average, the plentiful rainfall contributed to drought improvement in Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska.
Northern and eastern North Dakota also saw substantial reductions in drought coverage and intensity as heavy rain fell near the Canadian border. The tropical connection from the eastern Pacific provided the moisture needed to begin reversing months of dry conditions.
Mixed conditions across Midwest
The Midwestern states showed a broad range of conditions this week, from extreme to exceptional drought in northern Wisconsin to excessive wetness from Iowa to Ohio, where very little drought or abnormal dryness remains.
Minnesota experienced some relief as up to 5 inches or more of rain fell over areas of severe to extreme drought near the North Dakota border. Northwestern Minnesota completely recovered from drought this week as more beneficial rain fell there.
However, extreme to exceptional drought persisted in northern Wisconsin, where little rain fell this past week. The drought also spread into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, with an unusual lack of rainfall in late September intensifying conditions to between moderate and extreme levels.
Nearly 15 inches of rain needs to fall over a three-month span to fully recover from the present drought in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Drought also continued to intensify across southern Missouri this week.
Persistent storm track creates divide
A persistent storm track has separated southern drought conditions from northern drought areas. The prolific rainfall throughout the summer from Iowa to Ohio has kept most of that region free from significant drought concerns.
The contrast between wet and dry areas remains stark, with some regions experiencing excessive moisture while others struggle with intensifying drought conditions.
Substantial rain was falling Tuesday morning from Arizona and New Mexico into the Central and High Plains. The weather system connected to Hurricane Polo is projected to continue eastward this week into the High Plains, Midwest and South regions, potentially bringing drought-busting rains to affected areas.
