Winter wheat drought area inches higher

The amount of winter wheat considered in drought conditions increased one point to 72% for the week that ended on Feb. 15, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. USDA said winter wheat drought was 26% “moderate,” 27% “severe,” 18% “extreme,” and 1% “exceptional.” Last week, USDA said winter wheat drought was 30% “moderate,” 24% “severe,” 17% “extreme,” and 2% “exceptional."

For the HRW area, Oklahoma increased the area classified as abnormally dry/drought by six points to 98%. Nebraska had a two-point increase in the area to 100%. South Dakota has 81% of its area considered abnormally dry/drought, up three points. The amount of land classified as abnormally dry/drought in Kansas (86%), Texas (88%), Montana (92%) and Colorado (100%) remained the same.

In the SRW area, fifty-five percent of Arkansas is listed as abnormally dry/drought, up 13 points. The area classified as abnormally dry/drought in Michigan increased by three points to 60%. Missouri had 36% of its area considered abnormally dry/drought, up two points. North Carolina (43%), Illinois (33%), Ohio (0%) and Indiana (0%) had the same percentage of areas considered abnormally dry/drought as the previous week.