Fast-developing (flash) drought during September across portions of the south-central United States followed a relatively cool, rainy summer. Despite the late-month arrival of scattered showers across the central and southern Plains, September rainfall totaled 0.5 inch or less in numerous locations. Meanwhile, drought continued to dominate the landscape across the northern Plains and much of the West. On October 3, more than one-half of the rangeland and pastures were rated very poor to poor in all 11 states along and northwest of a line from California to Minnesota, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Monthly rainfall totaled less than one-tenth of an inch in several Montana locations, including Havre and Glasgow.
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