2014 Oklahoma Drought Conditions

[LocoAko]

There may be a serious dent in that remaining drought if some of the models are right for this weekend.

[Bunty]

From no drought at all in Edmond to just two counties away where severe drought affects much of Stillwater after being bypassed by many downpours.

[Plutonic Panda]

State Climatologist: Drought in Oklahoma is intensifying | News OK

[Bunty]

State Climatologist: Drought in Oklahoma is intensifying | News OK

Stillwater August was dry where 2/3 of average rain fell, but for September, 4" has fallen or nearly the average amount. Some of eastern half of Oklahoma has had more than that for the last 30 days, so surely parts of Oklahoma aren't having an intensifying drought. Much of the eastern half isn't even in a drought.

[law]

The problem is between droughts, OKC and it's water dependents grow, and they all use the same small water source. Today, after all this time, Canton Lake is LESS than 21% full. Anyone who tries to explain the situation gets shouted down. Most of OKC has plenty of water, but not those dependent on Hefner. Those people were so close to running out of water, most would not believe it! According to the engineers, Hefner needs water when they get to 40,000 acre/feet, you have 57,000 now. The pumps cavitate if it goes any lower. The Sardis deal is far in the future. Drawing water from Canton is difficult. You'll loose at least 10-15 thousand acre/ft to the riverbed.

[Plutonic Panda]

Oklahoma drought takes toll on Chickasha's aging water infrastructure | News OK

[Plutonic Panda]

Oklahoma drought sees minor improvement | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com

[venture]

Oklahoma drought sees minor improvement | Oklahoma City - OKC - KOCO.com

Unfortunately this is a pointless story for them to run. No appreciable precip in the forecast for 10+ days. Thankfully we aren't too warm right now to speed the drying out.

[bucktalk]

Does anyone know where a current drought update can be located?
Surely a huge chunk of the drought must be improved?

[Urbanized]

United States Drought Monitor > Home > State Drought Monitor

As of yesterday's update (conditions through Tues), eastern Oklahoma County was free of drought, western part "abnormally dry". The western half of the state still largely in drought but improved. Should be much better next Thursday when the new conditions are released.

[ljbab728]

Yes, it appears that the drought is going bye bye for most of the state for this year.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/542...ientists%20say

More than four years after it began, the drought that has played havoc across Oklahoma and Texas is all but over, federal climate scientists said Thursday.

Heavy rains across the southern Great Plains have refilled reservoirs and replenished soil moisture over the past month. With predictions of a wet summer, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the drought is likely to continue to retreat in the coming months.

“It’s in its last, dying breath,” said Victor Murphy, climate services program manager for the National Weather Service’s southern region.

[SouthsideSooner]

On the other hand, as drastically changeable as Oklahoma weather can be, OKC could go back to not being bypassed by flash flooding next year with talk wondering if an all time record total for annual precipitation will be set.

You nailed it a year ago almost to the day...

[ljbab728]