First thoughts on September - drought expansion?

What a stretch we've had in Kansas with the intense heat and lack of rainfall. It sure feels like our efforts to push back the drought have suddenly hit a wall. Even though the latest drought map released on Thursday (August 24) didn't show any change, the extreme heat has evaporated some good moisture from our soil. 

Here's the drought map from August 17:

Most recent released map on August 24:

You'll notice our final days of August will be more enjoyable as the "heat ridge" has now taken up residency in the desert Southwest. In doing so, our temperatures AND humidity levels will be enjoyable.

It's highly likely that the heat ridge will come back over the central US into Labor Day weekend and for the start of September. While not quite the strength of the one we just endured, there's potential of hovering around 100° once again. This may persist through the first week of the new month. 

Rainfall will most certainly be in short supply too into September. Just look at the 30-day forecast for the central US and note the better moisture may be focused over western Kansas and eastern Colorado. Meanwhile, areas east of I-135 might be in a holding pattern for better rainfall. That's also where drought conditions are still some of the worst in the state.

I'll keep looking for some better rainfall down the stretch, but expectations are September will be a dry month for most of the state. If the rains are coming, it's not happening until later in the month. Anything between now and then may not amount to very much. Tough news I know for soybean and milo farmers.