Moderate drought has expanded further north and now covers much of the KVOE listening area.
The latest update from the US Drought Monitor shows moderate drought covering almost all of Lyon County, as well as the southern two-thirds of Chase County and the southern half of Osage County. Severe drought now covers far south Lyon, Chase and Coffey counties, while extreme and even exceptional drought are across most of Greenwood County. Abnormally dry conditions are now across Morris and Wabaunsee counties along with northwest Chase and north Osage counties.
National Weather Service meteorologist Chad Omitt says the pattern does not favor more moisture coming to the area any time soon.
La Nina involves cooler than normal surface waters in the Central Pacific. Current indications are this pattern could last into early next year. Omitt says a repeat of last winter is possible.
The KVOE listening area had abnormally dry conditions end in late March, only to have those conditions return by late July. Since then, at least part of the KVOE listening area has been under abnormally dry conditions.
Since July 15, the KVOE studios have received 6.4 inches of rain. Since Sept. 1, the total is 1.8 inches of rain.
