Tag: drought

Dry Conditions Put Oklahoma Wheat Planting in Wait-and-See Mode

As Oklahoma heads toward the start of fall, dry conditions are creating uncertainty for producers considering planting wheat, particularly those hoping to establish wheat pasture. Oklahoma Wheat Commission Executive Director Mike Schulte said in a conversation with senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays that the state’s drought conditions have worsened, with many producers waiting …

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Drought Monitor: Oklahoma Drought Expands as Rain Offers Some Relief

To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Drought conditions continue to worsen across Oklahoma, with exceptional drought expanding this week to cover 13.13% of the state and moderate to extreme drought affecting all of Oklahoma. Some rain fell overnight and into Thursday morning in central Oklahoma, offering a little relief, while the outlook continues …

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Brief Respite Ahead as Oklahoma Battles Persistent Heat Dome and Drought Feedback Loop

The weak cold boundary sliding across the state overnight will bring noticeable changes to Thursday’s forecast, delivering a brief interruption to the dominant heat dome. The relief, however, will be far from uniform across Oklahoma in terms of both cloud cover, temperature drops, and actual precipitation. Temperatures: Stepping Down from the Century Mark After enduring …

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Crop Progress: Oklahoma Crop Conditions Deteriorate as Pasture Ratings Plunge

In the latest Crop Progress report from USDA, the U.S. corn crop is rated 56% Good to Excellent this week, down 1 point from last week, and corn harvested is at 5% nationally. Soybean crop conditions are rated 58% good to excellent this week, equal to last week. The U.S. cotton crop is rated 34% …

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Drought Monitor: Exceptional Drought Persists in Oklahoma as August Ends

To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. August is officially in the books, but Oklahoma is still dealing with exceptional drought, which was present every week throughout the month and has expanded again this week to cover 12.64% of Oklahoma. While the dry stretch continues, there is some hope for rain, with central and …

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Triple-Digit Heat Pushes Oklahoma Toward One of Its Hottest and Driest Augusts in History

Oklahoma is officially fully engulfed in drought, with 100% of the state now experiencing at least Moderate Drought (D1) conditions according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update. This marks the first time since November 1, 2022, that every part of the state has met the moderate drought threshold. Severe conditions continue to expand rapidly …

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Drought Monitor: Oklahoma Drought Intensifies as Rain Remains Elusive

To view the latest Oklahoma drought map, CLICK HERE. Drought conditions continue to worsen across Oklahoma as persistent heat and a lack of meaningful rainfall put more stress on farmers and ranchers. Exceptional drought now covers 12.06% of the state, while moderate to extreme drought affects all of Oklahoma. And with no significant rainfall in the …

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Late August Heat Wave Pushes Oklahoma Temperatures to Potential Year-to-Date Highs

Late August is delivering some of the most intense temperatures of the season across Oklahoma, with the potential to mark the hottest day of the year so far. According to State Climatologist Gary McManus, anyone assuming late August cannot rival the brutal conditions seen earlier in the month only needs to look at the history …

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U.S. Needs New Drought Assessment Framework as Droughts Become More Severe and Unpredictable

Droughts in the United States are becoming more intense and unpredictable, and the nation needs to develop a new drought assessment framework to better understand and address them, according to a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The report urges the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the interagency National Integrated Drought Information …

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Historically Strong El Niño Could Bring Cool, Wet Relief to Oklahoma by Winter

Oklahoma producers and residents weary of persistent summer heat and dry conditions may soon see a significant shift in regional weather patterns. Oklahoma State Climatologist Gary McManus reports that a strengthening, potentially historic El Niño in the equatorial Pacific could bring cooler temperatures and increased moisture to the state as the region transitions into late …

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