OKLAHOMA CITY – Drought conditions continue to spread across western Oklahoma and have settled in 18% of the state – including Southwestern Oklahoma – as 2019 came to a close.
Moderate Drought or worse (D1 to D3) has expanded from 11% three months ago and 13.85% two weeks ago; no drought was reported in Oklahoma at the start of 2019. When Abnormally Dry ratings are included with the drought statistics, 39.1% of the state is now covered versus 36.1% a week ago. Eastern Comanche County around Sterling; northern Stephens County, including Central High and Marlow; and almost all of Jefferson County are ranked as abnormally dry. Drought covers areas of Oklahoma that have an estimated population of 243,637, officials reported. The worst drought in the state today is D2: Severe Drought, found in Tillman County and in Cimarron County in the Panhandle. In D2 conditions, dryland crops are severely reduced, pasture growth is stunted, cattle are stressed, trees experience significant wilting, spring-fed ponds are slow to refill, and burn bans are instituted.
In abnormally dry conditions (D0), crops such as wheat, alfalfa and pecans are stressed, winter wheat germination is delayed, and stock pond levels decline. In D1, summer crop and forage yields are reduced, wildfire risk increases, lake recreation activities are affected, deer reproduction is poor, and seasonal creek and rain-fed pond levels drop. The latest Drought Monitor Map reflects conditions effective through Dec. 24 and was developed through a partnership among the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.