National Weather Service Text Product Display

Drought Information Statement
Issued by NWS Topeka, KS
Versions: 1 2
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AXUS73 KTOP 121943
DGTTOP
KSC003-013-027-029-031-041-045-059-061-085-087-111-117-127-131-
139-143-149-157-161-177-197-201-141945-

Drought Information Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
243 PM CDT Thu Apr 12 2018

...DROUGHT INTENSITY INCREASES SLIGHTLY...

SYNOPSIS...

The U.S. Drought Monitor is available online at
http://www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu/.  It is a collaborative effort
between several government and academic partners.  The U.S.
Drought Monitor is issued each Thursday morning and takes into
account hydro-meteorological data through 7 AM Tuesday. There are
four levels of drought: D1 (Moderate), D2 (Severe), D3 (Extreme),
and D4 (Exceptional).

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, issued Thursday, April 12
includes Extreme Drought (D3) in southern Dickinson and
southwestern Morris counties, Severe Drought (D2) from southern
Ottawa county northeast into western Jackson county then south
into western Coffey county, and Moderate Drought (D1) for nearly
the entire remainder of the area.

Precipitation amounts in the past month continued to be below
normal, resulting in a continuation and slight increase in drought
intensity for portions of the area.

In an Exceptional Drought (D4), exceptional and widespread crop
and pasture losses result. An exceptional fire danger exists, and
shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells occur
causing water emergencies.

In an Extreme Drought (D3), major crop and pasture losses are
likely.  An extreme fire danger exists, and widespread water
shortages and restrictions are possible.

In a Severe Drought (D2), crop and pasture losses are high, a
very high fire danger exists, and water restrictions may be
required with water shortages common.

In a Moderate Drought (D1), some damage to crops and pasture is
possible.  A high fire danger exists.  Some water shortages
develop or are imminent, and voluntary water use restrictions may
be requested.


SUMMARY OF IMPACTS...

State and Location Mitigation Actions.
The U.S.D.A. F.S.A. approved emergency haying and grazing on C.R.P.
acreages in Pottawatomie county.

Soil Moisture.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, soil moisture deficits
are two to four inches.  The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service
reports topsoil moisture supplies were 70 to 80 short or very short
across Kansas.

Agricultural Impacts.
For the state, the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reports
the condition of the wheat crop was 13 percent very poor and 31
percent poor.

Water Restrictions.
No known water conservation plans or restrictions have been enacted.


CLIMATE SUMMARY...

The lack of precipitation that begin in some places this summer and
fall continued into the early spring with below normal precipitation
the rule in March and early April.

Precipitation totals in inches for June 1 2017 through
April 10 2018...

                                    Departure     Percent
North Central Kansas...   Amount   From Normal   Of Normal
Belleville                 15.04      -9.19         62
Washington                 16.81      -9.59         64
Concordia                  20.00      -2.03         91
Clay Center                18.09      -6.30         74
Minneapolis                15.74      -9.03         64

Northeast Kansas...
Marysville                 16.70      -7.51         69
Goff 3 WSW                 14.51     -10.17         59
Manhattan KSU              16.15      -9.20         64
Fostoria 7 NW              18.63      -6.17         75
Blaine 4 E                 16.51      -9.00         65
Bremen 1 E                 13.90      -9.38         60
Blue Rapids                18.32      -5.37         77
Horton                     16.92      -9.64         64

Central Kansas...
Abilene                    14.99     -10.81         58
Herington                  16.55     -11.22         60

East Central Kansas...
Milford Lake               17.90      -8.26         68
Eskridge                   24.17      -5.63         81
Topeka                     26.60      -2.46         92
Perry Lake                 26.45      -3.23         89
Lawrence                   24.45      -6.59         79
Council Grove              21.08      -6.54         76
Pomona Lake                28.38      -3.17         90
Ottawa                     32.21       0.08        100
Emporia 3 NW               20.98      -8.63         71
Garnett 1 E                23.62      -3.16         88


Average Temperature in Degrees Fahrenheit for June 1 2017
through April 10 2018

                                        Departure
North Central Kansas...  Temperature   From Normal
Belleville                  50.8          -1.1
Washington                  51.4          -0.7
Concordia                   52.8          -0.1
Clay Center                 52.9           0.0
Minneapolis                 54.3           0.6

Northeast Kansas...
Marysville                  52.2          -0.0
Manhattan KSU               53.3          -0.6
Horton                      51.6          -0.9

Central Kansas...
Abilene                     56.8           0.9
Herington                   52.5          -0.7

East Central Kansas...
Eskridge                    51.6          -0.1
Topeka                      54.2           0.2
Perry Lake                  51.9          -0.2
Lawrence                    53.4          -0.4
Council Grove               53.9           0.5
Pomona Lake                 54.9           1.4
Ottawa                      52.8          -1.0
John Redmond Reservoir      54.1           0.7


PRECIPITATION/TEMPERATURE OUTLOOK...

The Climate Prediction Center indicates a slightly above equal
chance for precipitation to be above normal and for temperatures
to be below normal for the month of April.  For the period from
April through June, there are equal chances for precipitation to
be above, below, and near normal, while there is a greater than
equal chance for temperatures to be above normal.


HYDROLOGIC SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK...

The U.S. Geological Survey indicates streamflows of area rivers and
creeks range from near normal to much below normal.  The latest lake
water level readings from the Corps of Engineers indicate levels at
to 27 feet below conservation or irrigation pool levels.  The
latest Probabilistic Hydrologic Outlooks indicate river flooding
is possible though unlikely through the middle of June.


NEXT ISSUANCE DATE...

This product will be issued in early May, or earlier if
conditions change substantially.

&&

RELATED WEB SITES...

National Weather Service, Topeka - http://weather.gov/Topeka
U.S. Drought Monitor - http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/
U.S. Drought Portal - https://www.drought.gov/drought/
High Plains Regional Climate Center - https://hprcc.unl.edu/
Kansas State Climatologist - http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/wdl/
Kansas Water Office - http://www.ks.kwo.org/
U.S.D.A. National Agricultural Statistics Service -
 http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Kansas/
River Information...
National Weather Service - http://water.weather.gov/
U.S. Geologic Survey - https://www.usgs.gov/
Corps of Engineers - http://rivergages.com/
Climate Prediction Center - http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS...

The Drought Monitor is a multi-agency effort involving NOAA`s
National Weather Service and National Centers for Environmental
Information, the U.S.D.A, state and regional center
climatologists,
and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Information for this
statement has been gathered from NWS and FAA observation sites,
state cooperative extension services, the U.S.D.A., C.O.E., and
U.S.G.S.


QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS...

If you have any questions or comments about this drought
information, please contact...

   National Weather Service
   1116 NE Strait Ave.
   Topeka KS 66616

Telephone - 785-234-2592
E-mail - w-top.webmaster@noaa.gov

$$
National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office
