January 5-11, 2026 Summary

Temperature 

Temperatures were above normal in the majority of the region. The highest temperatures were 15°F to 20°F above normal in central Wyoming, small parts of eastern and northern Kansas, scattered areas in central and eastern Nebraska, across central and eastern South Dakota, and southern and western North Dakota. The lowest temperatures were 5°F to 10°F below normal in northeastern Colorado.  

Temperatures in southcentral South Dakota reached greater than 25°F above normal. The hottest temperature was 57°F in Wichita, Kansas, which is 14°F above normal for the area. The lowest temperatures were 5°F to 10°F below normal in northern Colorado.  

Temperatures in northeastern and southeastern Colorado reached 0°F to 5°F below normal. The coldest temperature was 1°F in Alamosa, Colorado, which is 4°F above normal for the area. The highest temperatures were in small areas in northcentral and eastern South Dakota. 

 

Departure from 1991-2020 normal temperature in the High Plains Region
Departure from 1991-2020 normal average maximum temperature in the High Plains Region
Departure from 1991-2020 normal average minimum temperature in the High Plains Region

 

Precipitation 

Precipitation amounts varied from 2 percent of normal in northeastern and southwestern Colorado, northwestern Kansas, across central and western Nebraska, across central and southern Wyoming, western, southern, and northeastern South Dakota, and across central and southern North Dakota to 800 percent of normal in eastern Colorado, and western Kansas. The Ralston Reservoir in Colorado received 2.83 inches of precipitation; most of it fell on the 10th. Drought continues in the region. D0 (abnormally dry) conditions increased from 52 percent to 54 percent. In the region, North Dakota experienced the highest increase in D0 conditions by 6 percent while Wyoming experienced the highest decrease in D0 conditions by 4 percent. 

 

Percent 1991-2020 normal precipitation in the High Plains Region
Map of the High Plains region showing the drought index