Northern Plains Snow Deficit Worsens Drought

The Northern Plains continue to miss out on major snowfall this winter, exacerbating drought conditions across the region. USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says snowfall deficits in the Red River Valley range from 12 to 20 inches below normal. “All these storms keep hitting further to the south,” Rippey said. “Even recently, a big storm hit Kansas through Nebraska into Wisconsin.” Rippey warns that drought conditions could worsen in the coming months. “The new seasonal outlook that came out on March 20 from the National Weather Service is actually a little bit more bullish on drought starting during the spring,” he said. The latest projections suggest dry conditions could intensify across the High Plains and expand eastward into mid and late summer.