By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Ellis County is in a drought warning and the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor map for Kansas shows the entire county (3 down, 5 right from upper left) in a moderate to severe drought.
As of today, Hays is 4 inches behind in average annual rainfall.
Official statistics from the K-State Agricultural Research Center south of town show the 153-year cumulative average moisture through July is 14.60 inches. So far in 2022, Hays has received 10.68 inches of moisture.
The month of July averages 3.33 inches of rain in Hays. With eight days left in the month, just 1.33 inches of rain has fallen.
Heat advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service in Dodge City for Friday and Saturday for southwest Kansas, including Hays. The forecast is calling for chances of precipitation of 20 to 50 percent Sunday to Thursday.
Gov. Laura Kelly approved updated drought declarations for Kansas counties on June 27. All 105 counties are either in watch, warning or emergency status. Ellis County is in a drought warning.
