Short-term dryness brought modest expansion of dryness (D0) and moderate to severe drought (D1 to D2) to various areas. Topsoil moisture rated very short to short increased at least 10 percentage points each of the last 2 weeks to reach 57 percent by Sept. 17 in Texas, 47 percent in Oklahoma, and 43 percent in Arkansas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Winter wheat planting is underway in the region, and the crop will soon need rain wheat planting is underway in the region, and the crop will soon need rain to support proper autumn establishment. In Texas, 14 percent of the intended winter wheat acreage had been planted by Sept. 17; Oklahoma had planted 11 percent. Read more at drought monitor.unl.edu…