Steep Moisture Deficits in Southern Plains Wheat

September 16, 2011

The September 13 Drought Monitor indicates “exceptional drought” in the southern Great Plains, where winter wheat is due to be planted soon.  West Texas and southwest Oklahoma have experienced the driest summer on record.   This is ominous for winter wheat seeding due to begin soon, because the summer is ordinarily the wettest period of the year,  and a time of soil moisture replenishment.

The June 1 – September 15 rainfall deficit has grown extreme, exceeding 8 inches over much of Oklahoma and Texas.   Southern Kansas also is very dry.   Click to see where winter wheat is grown.  

Of the 3 top hard red winter wheat states Texas is driest.  This state produces 6-7% of US winter wheat:

Oklahoma also is extremely dry, the second biggest winter wheat state with a 10% share of production:

Kansas is the top producer growng 24-25% of US winter wheat.  The moisture deficit is only 2.3 inches as a state-weighted average on wheat farms.   Northern Kansas wetness largely offsets southern Kansas drought.  Scroll up for a view of the rainfall map.

Tropical Storm Would Cure Drought

The cure for drought would be drenching rainfall from a tropical Gulf disturbance.    Tropical storm Lee earlier this month spread a band of 6-8 inch rains across northern Alabama into Tennessee that would have done a world of good in the Southern Great Plains.

The forecast continues to call for generous rainfall in the 7-day outlook.