The High Plains are continuing to benefit from a stalled weather front along lower sections of the central Plains, which is serving as a focus for continued precipitation. As a result, the monthly drought outlook map from the Climate Prediction Center (see first slide above) shows improvement across the HPPR coverage area though August.
However, the forecast into the fall is iffy and generally less favorable. The High Plains Regional Climate Center forecasts a higher probability of above normal temperatures for much of the High Plains. And the precipitation outlook is for “an equal chance of above, near, or below normal precipitation” for the entire region, which pretty much covers any outcome. Consequently, the three month drought outlook map through the end of October shows the area of improvement receding to the southwest and drought levels across most of the High Plains persisting.
