‘Substantial drought expansion’ impacts Kansas as planting begins

Drought conditions have increased significantly across the state of Kansas between April 9 and April 16. Just over 3% of the state is now free from drought stress as farmers begin planting.

Drought conditions have blossomed in Kansas between the April 9 and April 16 drought monitor maps. Nearly the entire state is experiencing some level of drought conditions according to the latest drought monitor map, a huge leap up from 80% compared to the previous week’s drought map.

Chip Redmond, meteorologist at Kansas State University, says warm and dry conditions over the last two weeks have definitely taken a toll on the state’s drought conditions. “We saw substantial drought expansion this week,” Redmond says. 

According to Redmond, the increase in drought conditions is “probably one of the bigger expansions we’ve seen over the last few months.” 

The latest drought monitor map for Kansas shows 7% of the state is in D2 severe drought, 46% is in D1 moderate drought, and 47% is abnormally dry. Just over 3% of Kansas is free from drought stress, a dramatic change from the previous week’s map, when 19% of the state was drought free. 

When it comes to drought and getting the moisture needed for a successful growing season, Redmond says, “We’re going the wrong way right now at the time of year when we should have precipitation.”

Some rainfall has been recorded across the state, Redmond says, as a result of thunderstorms that have been produced as a result of intense wind gusts. 

“It’s springtime in Kansas, and the wind continues to blow,” Redmond says. 

Data from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center shows that Kansas has received 0.67 inches less precipitation than normal since the start of April. Despite this, temperatures have been 4.6°F below normal for the month of April. 

Some peak gusts of wind this month of 60 mph have brought some precipitation through thunderstorms, Redmond says. However, Redmond says the thunderstorms bringing the state moisture have been isolated. Over the previous two rain events, Redmond says areas north and south of Manhattan, Kansas, received significantly less rainfall than the city itself. 

High winds have also blown up a significant amount of dust, Redmond says. This resulted in closed roads due to low visibility as well as negative impacts on the state’s wheat crop, he added. “The wheat we have in the ground is taking a beating from the wind.”

The USDA Crop Progress report for Kansas for the week ending April 14 shows that winter wheat was rated predominantly fair and below. Just 5% of the state’s winter wheat was rated excellent, 38% was rated good, 38% was fair, 13% was poor, and the remaining 6% was very poor. 

Looking at the forecast for the near future in Kansas, Redmond says it’s expected to remain relatively dry across the state for the next week. Weather patterns are expected to change by early May, he says. “Hopefully there will be some more moisture and some more opportunities for thunderstorms and some warmer temperatures.”

Dan O’Brien, a grain economist for Kansas State University, says dry conditions have been helpful for the planting season. “Nothing is hindering the planters to roll in these areas,” O’Brien says, “so very likely we’ll get the crop in.”

Across the state of Kansas, the USDA Crop Progress report shows that 13% of the corn crop has been planted. This is similar to last year’s 14% and ahead of the five-year average of 10%. Similar to last year, 1% of the soybean crop was planted.

When it comes to soil moisture supplies, though, O’Brien says there are concerns about the lack of moisture supplies in a good chunk of the Corn Belt. The Kansas Crop Progress report for the week ending April 14 shows that topsoil moisture supplies were mostly short at 22% very short, 43% short, 34% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were similarly short at 21% very short, 41% short, 37% adequate, and 1% surplus.