Drought in Rice, Kansas

At the start of the month, most of the county was in extreme drought (D3). There were gradual improvements in the first week between issuances where it dropped to severe drought (D2) on the 2nd. Gradually this improved further with a complete removal of D2 on the 23rd.

Rounds of showers and thunderstorms improved drought conditions across central Kansas early in the month. A couple areas went from severe drought (D2) to none. By the end of the of the month, remaining counties or portions of counties improved to moderate drought and abnormally dry categories. Monthly rainfall totals ranged from 4.5 inches to around 15 inches in the drought stricken areas with the highest amounts across south central Kansas. These values were 7 to nearly 9 inches above seasonal normal.