Above-normal precipitation brought short-term drought relief to parts of the central Plains, while dry conditions allowed drought to expand in portions of the northern High Plains, according to the latest regional climate summary.
Rainfall was heaviest across eastern Colorado, Kansas, and southeast Nebraska, where warm temperatures allowed most of the moisture to fall as rain and effectively infiltrate soils. As a result, abnormally dry conditions and areas of moderate drought improved in southeast Nebraska, eastern Kansas, and parts of south-central Colorado.
Outside of those areas, much of the region saw little to no precipitation. Dry weather contributed to expanding drought conditions across eastern Wyoming, west-central South Dakota, and northeast Colorado.
Temperatures across the region averaged well above normal for the period. Most locations experienced temperatures 10 to 15 degrees above normal, with parts of the Dakotas and eastern Montana running 15 to 20 degrees above average. Southeast Colorado was the lone area where temperatures were near to slightly below normal.
Climate officials note that while recent rainfall has provided temporary relief in some areas, continued moisture will be necessary to sustain improvements and prevent further drought expansion as winter progresses.