Drought — Bourbon, Kansas

2023-09-01 to 2023-09-30 · Bourbon, Kansas

Event narrative

Localized rainfall through the improved conditions in the southwestern portion of the county but a sharp cutoff in rain allowed for a slight expansion of Extreme (D3) Drought in the eastern portions of the county with the remainder of the county in Severe (D2) Drought or Moderate (D1) Drought in September. Impacts across the region continue over larger scale agriculture. Farm and stock ponds saw continuing impacts with ground water levels and reservoirs showing limited drought condition improvement. Crop and vegetation growth was showing signs of stress due to limited moisture. Monetary crop losses for 2023 beginning January first will be included in future reports when the drought ends and loses are assessed.

Wider weather episode

Some improvement occurred across far southeastern Kansas though Extreme (D3) Drought remained by the end of September. Extreme drought expanded slightly for a small portion of Bourbon County. Severe (D2) Drought conditions lingered across portions southeastern Kansas through the end of September. Rainfall amounts from 1 to 3 inches with localized 5 to 7 inch amounts occurred during the month allowing for improvement of drought conditions over portions of southeastern Kansas during the month. Across southeastern Kansas Extreme (D3) and Severe (D2) drought lingered in some areas with Moderate (D1) Drought and Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions areas continuing in others. The primary impacts of the drought occurred in the agricultural communities. Hay growth was impacted along with reports of crop and vegetation impacts due to limited soil and surface moisture, dry stock ponds and low flows on some streams and rivers. Final reports of damages will be placed in the last month the drought occurred in the counties impacted in 2023.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1142125. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.