Kansas Dryness Expanding and Intensifying

Discussion: The lack of rainfall across the west/southwest Great Plains continues. The result is the development of D3/D2 drought in southwest Kansas which is expanding. The dryness in this zone features BOTH shallow and deep layer moisture deficits making this region susceptible to intense flash drought if hot weather over a period of 7-10 days develops during the summer season. The other concern is that surrounding areas, especially to the northeast are also trending drier. Large regions of soil moisture deficit are notorious for ducking any rain drops during the summer season. This region needs to be watched closely as summertime arrives for intensifying dryness.