Drought intensifies and expands across the Plains and western Corn Belt

Warm, dry weather dominated the western half of the U.S. the week ending Sept. 28, while some welcome rain fell in some areas of the Midwest, the Mid-Atlantic and into the Northeast, according to today’s National Drought Monitor. “As the 2021-22 water year came to a close, the West, northern Plains and upper Midwest had the poorest recorded precipitation while portions of the South and Southeast have recorded 110%-150% of normal precipitation during this time,” the Drought Monitor Summary noted.

The bulk of the High Plains were dry over the past week, and temperatures were above normal. That accelerated grain dry down and maturity, with harvest moving forward quickly. Drought expanded and intensified across the region. “Portions of northwest North Dakota had extreme drought conditions return. Moderate and severe drought were expanded over portions of eastern Colorado, northern and southern Kansas, western and central Nebraska, southwest South Dakota and southeast Wyoming. Severe and extreme drought were also expanded over north central Wyoming,” today’s Drought Summary details.

In contrast, temperatures in the South were generally cooler than normal, with the exception of west Texas and the panhandles of both Oklahoma and Texas where warmer temperatures prevailed. Dryness also dominated the region, resulting in drought degradation across most of Oklahoma and into northern and central Texas.

Temperatures were variable in the Midwest, with northern areas trending warm and southern areas cool. Precipitation also varied widely across the Midwest. Today’s update notes, “The area from central Illinois into Indiana, Ohio, and southern Michigan recorded the most rain this week with portions of northern Indiana recording over 500% of normal.” Abnormal dryness improved in northwest Ohio, northeast Indiana, southern Michigan and some areas of southeast Wisconsin thanks to recent rains. In contrast, drought intensified and expanded in areas of Iowa, northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin and southern Missouri, according to today’s update.