Livestock Wx for 12-15-17: A period of more active weather?

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Livestock Wx for Dec. 15, 2017: A period of more active weather could be shaping up for the latter half of the month of December
A majority of the South Central U.S. is in some degree of drought, especially eastern parts of Oklahoma and Texas. These areas would benefit from several inches of rainfall. The image below shows areas where we saw some expansion of Abnormally Dry areas in the Texas Panhandle (red circle) and into eastern Colorado and western Kansas.

The latest weather models indicate the potential for significantly more active weather ahead with several inches of rain over areas that need it the most. The image below shows the number of weeks in dry or drought conditions according to the U.S. Drought Monitor since August, along with the expected amount of rainfall through Dec. 22. We have included Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico since those are areas where drought has been expanding. Specific areas and amounts are likely to change, however. Morne than 3 inches of rain is possible over eastern Texas.

While this likely will not be enough rain to end drought impacts, it could alleviate some of the more severe conditions.
Still, some spots could miss much of the needed rainfall, including hard-hit parts of central and northern Arkansas.
Livestock Wx will be back with our next update on Jan. 5. We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We will see you in 2018.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about conditions around Texas and Oklahoma please contact us at [email protected]