Given recent rains, it should be no surprise that drought conditions continue to improve.

 

According to the National Drought Mitigation Center, southern Kansas saw between one to three categories of drought improvement over the past four to eight weeks.  All of southeast Kansas is now out of the drought, with mainly central, northern and western parks of the sunflower state still in abnormally dry or moderate drought conditions.  Only a small portion of northwest Kansas is experiencing severe drought.

 

In Oklahoma, drought is mainly confined to the panhandle with the worst area being D1 or moderate drought.  There is no drought in Arkansas and drought conditions in Missouri are contained to the northern parts of the state.

 

Most locations in Kansas are seeing their wettest start to the year since 2022.  So far, this has been the wettest year for Independence since 2021, although May's rainfall totals were somewhat low for much of southeast Kansas, averaging about 2.5 inches below normal.

 

Heavy rain is likely this week for the four-state area, with flash and mainstream flooding possible between Tuesday and Friday.  Widespread totals between 2 and 5 inches are possible and 7 to 8 inches could fall locally.  Oklahoma is expected to see the greatest rainfall potential.  There is also a threat of severe weather on Tuesday, so remain weather aware and count of KGGF for severe weather coverage if needed.