Drought continues to tick up in the eastern U.S.

The October 27th drought monitor shows 72.6% of the U.S. is experiencing abnormal dryness or drought, down 0.6% from the previous week, with 49.5% in D1 level drought or higher, down 1.2%.Currently 21% (up 1%) of corn acres are in D1-D4 drought with 28% (up 1%) of soybean acres, and 50% (up 1%) of winter wheat acres also impacted. For livestock, 40% (down 3%) of the U.S.cattle herd is in D1-D4 drought conditions with 26% (unchanged) of dairy cattle also in drought.

The main precipitation event of the past week was centered in the Plains, with portions of eastern Colorado into Kansas receiving widespread totals over half an inch, with good amounts of rainfall in the southern Plains as well. Conditions were drier further east, with most of the Midwest and Southeast staying dry. Spotty showers were noted in areas, but slowing of harvest progress was minimal compared to earlier in the month.

The National Weather Service five to seven day forecast sees rainfall likely to continue in the High Plains, with 2 to 4 inches forecast in portions of Colorado, potentially stretching in to north Texas as well. Meanwhile, the eastern U.S. is expected to continue to see dry conditions ahead. Temperatures are forecast to remain 5 to 10 degrees above normal for the time of year, with the sharpest deviations from normal being centered around the southern Great Lakes region.

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