Special Alert: Southwest/south-central Great Plains Wheat Drying Due to Wind Ahead
Discussion: Concern is increasing rapidly regarding intensification of drought in the southwest to south-central Great Plains. The issue is persistent high wind (sustained 25-40 mph) and very dry air as storms producing heavy precipitation stay to the east. Temperatures fluctuate very warm today (90’s) to extreme cold by Sunday morning (teens/20’s). Warmth ahead of another cold to 80’s to near 90 return next Tuesday. Despite the dramatic changes in air mass the dew points stay low and coupled with high wind the intense dryness in these zones now will worsen.
Fig. 1: Severe drought Kansas to northwest Plains to worsen due to wind.