Oklahoma Climatologist Gary McManus says Oklahoma is starting another dry spell and it’s already approaching two weeks.
He pointed out this week, it’s also added to the spreading dry conditions in the state, as shown in the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map.
The impact of the record-setting rains the state received in May and June quickly departed.
“—but the rains of last spring are long gone, used up by plants and us humans (and the rest of you neanderthals) and/or evaporated by the sun’s energy,” he wrote in Thursday’s Oklahoma Mesonet report.
“The result is, of course, a worsening U.S. Drought Monitor map, which just 3 months ago was completely clear for Oklahoma (again, because of that amazing spring rainfall). All of this has left us with dry farm ponds, decimated (if even planted) winter
wheat, lack of pasture for livestock, and desiccated soils across much of southern Oklahoma.”
The Drought Monitor showed that 99% of the state was NOT dry three months ago but now dry conditions cover nearly 43% of Oklahoma. The description of a “moderate drought” has grown to 23%.
Any chance of rain soon? Not according to McManus.
“And there’s still no rain in sight for Oklahoma. I mean, if you look out to the next week, nothing even close.”