Drought Information Statement for the Tri-State Area Valid February 03, 2024 Issued By: WFO Goodland Kansas Contact Information: 785-899-2360, nws.goodland@noaa.gov This product will be updated by the 5th of each month or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/gld/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for High Plains Image Caption: Goodland County Warning Area Drought Monitor. Valid Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Graham D2 (Severe Drought): Decatur, Norton, Sheridan D1 (Moderate Drought): Cheyenne (KS), Rawlins, Thomas, Gove D0: (Abnormally Dry): Sherman, Wallace, Logan, Red Willow, Hitchcock, Dundy, Yuma, Kit Carson, Cheyenne (CO) 6am MDT Feb 03, 2024 ***This Map Does Not Reflect the Rainfall Event From the Start of February*** Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for CONUS 4 Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Improved: Cheyenne (KS), Sherman, Kit Carson, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Wallace, Logan and Gove Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor 4-week change map valid 6am MDT Feb 03, 2024 A snowy January led to some drought improvements across the area. Precipitation A snowy January which favored NW Kansas led to well above Normal precipitation. Portions of northeast Colorado and SW Nebraska was closer to normal for precipitation. Image Captions: Right - Monthly Precipitation Amount for Tri-State Area Left - Percent of Normal Monthly Precipitation for Tri-State Area Data Courtesy of MRMS. Date Valid: Feb 03 2024 Temperature A cold snap towards the middle portion of the month led to many areas seeing below normal temperatures, despite the mild start and end to the month. Many record lows were set during the mid month cold snap along with locations not even making it above zero for 24+ hours. Image Captions: Right - Average Temperature Left - Departure from Normal Temperature Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. Date Valid: Feb 03 2024 Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Agricultural Impacts USDA Nebraska Crop Progress and Condition Reports can be found here USDA Kansas Crop Progress and Condition Reports can be found here Fire Hazard Impacts Given the recent widespread and snowfall, fire concerns are low at this time. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Despite the precipitation the average streamflow continues to be below normal. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid Feb 03 2024 Agricultural Impacts Due to wet January across the area, the majority of the area is near normal in soil moisture and crop moisture levels. Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid Right: Crop Moisture Index by Division. Weekly value for period ending April 15, 2023 Feb 03 2024 Fire Hazard Impacts Summarize conditions/impacts here Image Caption: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. February 2024 Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Widespread much needed rainfall is currently ongoing this first weekend of February. The relative heaviest rainfall is favoring eastern portions of NW Kansas where drought conditions remain the worst. Additional chances for precipitation continue into the 2nd weekend of the month as well. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid February 03 to February 10 Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Summarize conditions and impacts here Image Caption: Days 8 to 14 U.S. Hazards Outlook Valid Month DD to DD. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Monthly outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) favors above normal precipitation and temperatures for the month. Precipitation chances should continue through the month, but a cooldown around the middle of the month is starting to be seen in some guidance. Image Captions: Left - Climate Prediction Center Monthly Temperature Outlook. Right - Climate Prediction Center Monthly Precipitation Outlook. Valid February 2024 Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The wet start to the month is indicating that drought will either end or improve in most locales in the region. Given that January and February are some of the driest months, this is a welcome sign as we head into Spring. Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Released Valid: Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook February 2024 Jan 31, 2024 Looking Ahead (Spring) The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Spring across the area continues to favor above normal precipitation along no strong signal for either below or above normal temperatures at this time as El Nino continues. This may favor an increase potential for severe weather and flooding. Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center MAM 2024 Outlook Valid: January 18th Looking Ahead (Summer) The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Signals heading into Summer however favor above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation returning. ENSO is showing signs of La Nina potentially returning this summer which typically favors the below normal precipitation and possibly drought redeveloping. Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center MJJ 2024 Outlook Valid: January 18th