Ticker for January 6, 2011

                
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January 6, 2011    January 6, 2011    January 6, 2011    January 6, 2011


Drought Persists in Oklahoma

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor is out and it continues to paint a depressing
picture for Oklahoma. The latest version shrugged off the rains in southeastern
Oklahoma, taking into consideration longer-term dryness in that area and also
short-term dryness in the northwest.



The development and persistence continued unabated and the difference shows up
in the percent area table. Last year at this time, 100% of the state was clear
of any unfortunate colors on the map (D0-D4 designations). Just three months ago,
66.29% of the state was clear, but now only 8.81% of the map indicates the
absence of a drought intensity.

The area that still looks "okay" in the northwest is resting on the laurels of
a mid-November rain that continues to fade into the distance. The 60-day percent
of normal map from the Oklahoma Mesonet clearly shows where that rain fell in
the northwest:



That's a trick of the statistics, however, and our penchant for making up nice
round numbers for our designated periods. Give it a few more days and let that
rainfall from November 12-13 fall off the books and this is what the 60-day
map will look like (in the absence of new precipitation):



The Seasonal Drought Outlook from the CPC doesn't give a lot of hope either
except for the southeastern corner. Their view is persistence for most of the
state where drought already exists and development for much of western
Oklahoma down into Texas.



Are things dire? No, not yet. 'Tis but a scratch. If it continues into the
spring? That's when the arms fall off.

Now, stand aside, worthy adversary!

Gary McManus
Associate State Climatologist
Oklahoma Climatological Survey
(405) 325-2253
gmcmanus@ou.edu