Rains predicted this week in Oklahoma might take significant steps in easing the dry conditions in the state, conditions that are not as severe as in western states.
Oklahoma has only the far western reaches of the Panhandle in what is considered extreme drought. Otherwise, the western parts of the state are in abnormally dry conditions with one segment of northwestern Oklahoma in a severe drought.
In west-central and northern Oklahoma, short-term precipitation deficits and areas of below-normal soil moisture led to a slight expansion of areas of Abnormally Dry (D0) on the map.
However rain is in the forecast for the next several days and will likely improve conditions.
The U.S. Drought Monitor reported deterioration in the drought-related conditions across the West. California, Oregon, Washington, Utah and Montana are experiencing an intensification of the drought and snowpack runoff is below normal.
California Gov. Newsom expanded the coverage in his recent drought emergency declaration to include another 39 counties statewide.
In New Mexico, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation reported the state’s largest reservoir along the Rio Grande is currently at 12% full.
In the High Plains, portions of eastern Colorado and Wyoming saw improvement in drought conditions in response to recent rainfall events and improvement in soil moisture levels. In the Midwest and Northeast, beneficial rainfall during the past two weeks has helped reduce areas of drought on the map.
On the map, isolated rainfall activity (1 to 2 inches) this week led to some minor improvements in southern and north-central Texas, whereas portions of the Texas Panhandle and the Trans-Pecos region of western Texas saw some deterioration in drought-related conditions and an expansion of areas of drought on the map.