The National Weather Service said there were only a few areas of improved conditions over the past four to eight weeks, but the drought worsened across large areas of the state.
In its monthly climate and drought report, the Weather Service said precipitation over the summer and the year to date was mostly below average across central, south central and southeast Kansas, although there were a few pockets of near to above-average precipitation. It was Salina’s driest year to date since 2012, and Anthony’s driest year to date since 2014.
Wichita’s Eisenhower National Airport had 9.94 inches of precipitation from June through August, which was 3.27 inches below average and the driest summer since 2022.
Summer temperatures were mostly near to above average across central, south central and southeast Kansas. Wichita has had ten days of 100 degree temperatures during the summer, which is two days below normal.
Much of south central Kansas was under severe drought conditions, mainly across Reno, Kingman, Harper, Sumner and Harvey counties. The rest of south central Kansas, including Sedgwick County, was under moderate drought conditions as of late August. The drought is expected to continue across much of Kansas through November.
The Weather Service said a transition from the El Nino weather pattern to La Niña is expected this fall. La Niña sometimes favors warmer and drier conditions during the fall and winter across the Kansas region.
