Drought conditions are holding steady across the KVOE listening area.
The US Drought Monitor’s latest map indicates virtually no change from the map released Nov. 17 — which means moderate drought continues across Lyon, Chase and Osage counties, as well as northwest Coffey, northwest Greenwood, southeast Morris and southeast Wabaunsee counties.
Severe drought covers most of Coffey County. Greenwood County, meanwhile, still ranges from moderate drought in the north part of the county to exceptional drought along and south of US Highway 54.
Greenwood County is in a drought emergency, according to the Kansas Water Office. Lyon, Chase, Coffey and Morris counties are in a drought warning, while Osage and Wabaunsee counties are in a drought watch.
The KVOE listening area has not had any measurable rainfall since Nov. 15, when we received 0.10 inches of rainfall. Another 0.10 inch of rain fell on Nov. 10. Area residents got 3 inches of more of rain between Nov. 4-6.
Soil and pasture conditions are not good. Topsoil moisture supplies are listed as 43 percent very short, 32 percent short and 25 percent adequate. Subsoil is at 50 percent very short, 16 percent short and 14 percent adequate. For pasture and range conditions, the latest update is 48 percent very poor, 29 percent poor, 18 percent fair and 5 percent good.
