Drought Information Statement for Northeast Kansas Valid April 25, 2024 Issued By: NWS Topeka Contact Information: nws.topeka@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 28, 2024 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/top/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Severe drought returns to portions of north-central Kansas. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D2 (Severe Drought): Cloud, Clay, Ottawa, and Dickinson Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Republic, Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Riley, Pottawatomie, Jackson, Geary, Wabaunsee, Morris, Coffey, and Anderson Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Jefferson, Shawnee, Douglas, Osage, Franklin, and Lyon Counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four-Week Drought Monitor Class Change: Minor degreations have been common in western, northern, and southern areas, with minor improvements in northeastern areas. Precipitation Precipitation amounts over the past 30 days have ranged from around one-quarter of an inch in central Kansas to around three inches in portions of northeast Kansas. This is below normal for most of the area, though somewhat above normal in northeast Kansas. Temperature Temperatures have ranged from a few degrees below normal in portions of north-central and northeast Kansas to a few degrees above normal in portions of east-central Kansas over the past 30 days. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts River gages across the area indicate flows ranging from near normal in northeastern areas to much below normal in portions of north-central Kansas. The elevation of area reservoirs range from two feet above to five feet below conservation pool levels. Soil Moisture Impacts The Climate Prediction Center reports soil moisture ranking from around the fifth percentile in north-central Kansas to around the 20th percentile for the remainder of the area. The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reports topsoil moisture as 27 percent very short and 38 percent short across the state. The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reports, for the entire state, the wheat condition as eight percent very poor and eighteen percent poor. Agricultural Impacts The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reports, for the entire state, the wheat condition as five percent very poor and eight percent poor. Mitigation Actions None reported. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts River gages across the area indicate flows ranging from near normal in northeastern areas to much below normal in portions of north-central Kansas. The elevation of area reservoirs range from two feet above to five feet below conservation pool levels. Image Caption: USGS 7-day average streamflow HUC map Agricultural Impacts The Climate Prediction Center reports soil moisture ranking from around the fifth percentile in north-central Kansas to around the 20th percentile for the remainder of the area. The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reports topsoil moisture as 27 percent very short and 38 percent short across the state. The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reports, for the entire state, the wheat condition as eight percent poor and eighteen percent poor. Fire Hazard Impacts The wildland fire potential outlooks indicate near normal fire potential. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Precipitation through early May 2 is expected to range from around 1.5 inches to around three inches. Normal precipitation for this time of year (over a one week period) is around nine-tenths of an inch. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast Rapid Onset Drought Outlook No rapid onset drought is expected through the first week of May. There is an equal chance for temperatures to be below, near, or above normal in May. There is a slightly greater than equal chance for above normal precipitation in May. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are predicted to end in May.