According to U.S. Drought Monitor for Sept. 25 released Sept. 27, the combination of energetics from northern Mexico lifting toward the Southern Rockies/Great Plains and enhanced moisture from the remains of a tropical depression led to heavy precipitation events across the south-central U.S., particularly notable as a frontal zone stalled.
Significant rain fell across much of the South, leading to much improved drought conditions in many areas.
As summer comes to a close and fall begins, many areas across the High Plains continue to experience dry conditions.
In eastern Kansas, extreme drought (D3) was extended into the northern half of Osage County as well as southwestward into northeastern Marion County.
Extreme drought was also introduced in Eddy County in east central North Dakota, with adjoining extreme (D2) and moderate (D1) drought each extending slightly farther south to southern Foster County.
These counties have each received less than 25 percent of their typical precipitation over the past two months.
Among some of the local observances: “Soybean yields are disappointing.
Grasshoppers are thick in some areas of the county, damaging some late season crops.
Some producers have started feeding their cattle, which typically does not happen until first snowfall.
Producer are having to haul cattle home from pastures”.