The heavy rainfall noted in Lyon and Osage counties late last month had a notable impact on the US Drought Monitor earlier this month, and it also benefited other markers tracked by the National Weather Service.
Reports from both the Topeka and Wichita offices say topsoil and subsoil moisture have improved after up to a foot of rainfall just northeast of Emporia. Pasture and range conditions also improved slightly.
Streamflow, which had been much below normal from Emporia to the west, is now normal areawide.
The Wichita office says Cottonwood Falls actually had 2.3 more inches of rain than average for October — the city[s 17th wettest October on record — but it’s still 10 inches below normal year-to-date, the 26th driest year overall and the driest since 2012.
The precipitation forecasts for this month have equal chances of above-normal or below-normal rainfall totals. Short-term, the Topeka office says drought could well persist in November with some improvements possible. Longer-term, the Wichita office mentions some improvements are possible into January.
The US Drought Monitor had a one-to-two category improvement areawide after the heavy rainfall in late October. The weekly map released Thursday morning shows no change from the Nov. 2 map, meaning abnormally dry conditions for parts of Lyon, Osage and Wabaunsee counties immediately northeast of Emporia and moderate to severe drought for the rest of the KVOE listening area.
Graphics courtesy National Weather Service Topeka
Graphics courtesy National Weather Service Wichita
