As of April 8, the Drought Monitor showed 58% of the U.S. was covered by abnormal dryness/drought, down eight percentage points from the previous week. USDA estimated 32% of the U.S. winter wheat crop was experiencing D1-D4 drought conditions, down five points from last week but 14 points more than last year at this time. Abnormal dryness (D0) covered another 16% of winter wheat areas, down eight points from the previous week and 18 points from last year.
In HRW areas, dryness/drought covered 84% of Kansas (no D3 or D4), 52% of Colorado (1% D3, no D4), 53% of Oklahoma (no D3 or D4), 82% of Texas (29% D3 or D4), 97% of Nebraska (6% D3, no D4), 100% of South Dakota (3% D3, no D4) and 65% of Montana (2% D3, no D4).
In SRW areas, dryness/drought covered 37% of Missouri (no D3 or D4), 36% of Illinois (no D3 or D4), 15% of Indiana (no D3 or D4), 0% of Ohio (no D3 or D4), 29% of Michigan (no D3 or D4), 0% of Kentucky (no D3 or D4) and 4% of Tennessee (no D3 or D4).
The Seasonal Drought Outlook signals drought conditions are likely to persist or develop across much of HRW areas through June. SRW production areas faced with dryness/drought are likely to see those conditions improve or be removed.
