MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... MESONET TICKER ... July 21, 2011 July 21, 2011 July 21, 2011 July 21, 2011
Drought and future drought news
There was little change in the drought classifications by the U.S. Drought Monitor this week. Currently, 99.99% of the state is classified as experiencing some degree of drought (D1-D4). I'm not sure where the 0.01% is, but I'd like to visit!
http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20110721/ok_dm.png
I'm not sure how to characterize the lack of change ... good or bad. Good that it didn't get worse and bad that it didn't get better, I guess. There was definitely some bad news, however, with the release of the latest U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook from the Climate Prediction Center. Drought is expected to persist or intensify over most of Oklahoma through October 31.
http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20110721/season_drought.gif
Their reasoning:
"Short, medium, and extended range forecasts, including the CPC 6-10 and 8-14 day outlooks all indicate enhanced chances for below-average precipitation across the southern Plains states. Based on these outlooks ... continued drought persistence is likely."
The forecaster adds that forecast confidence for the Southern Plains is "moderate." Better than "high," right?
The 6-10 day and 8-14 day forecasts indicate increased chances of above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall, courtesy of the ridge of high pressure camped over the area.
6-10 day temps: http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20110721/610temp.new.gif 6-10 day rain: http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20110721/610prcp.new.gif
8-14 day temps: http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20110721/814temp.new.gif 8-14 day rain: http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20110721/814prcp.new.gif
For the August outlook, the drought is expected to increase the chances of below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures across most of the state. Northwestern Oklahoma is covered by the dreaded "EC - Equal Chances" designation, meaning the forecaster had little confidence in making a forecast for that area.
August temps: http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20110721/aug-temps.gif August rain: http://ticker.mesonet.org/archive/20110721/aug-rain.gif
The lack of soil moisture (due to drought) is a driver in those outlooks. As mentioned many times, those soil moisture deficits (and lack of green vegetation) help to amplify normal summer heat. It can also lessen the amount of local moisture available.
Another important factor ... IT'S SUMMER!
Gary McManus Associate State Climatologist Oklahoma Climatological Survey (405) 325-2253 gmcmanus@mesonet.org
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