By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Kansas Drought Monitor has Ellis County still listed in severe drought as of the map's release Thursday.
Areas near the Nebraska border range from severe to extreme drought, according to the monitor.
Historically severe drought has been associated with low yields for wheat, corn and soybean. It can also cause blue-green algae blooms in water supplies.
Hays has received 4.27 inches of precipitation this year, but usually receives 7.81 inches of precipitation by the end of May.
There is a chance for showers this afternoon in Hays. Showers and thunderstorms are likely before midnight, but accumulation is only forecast for between a tenth and quarter of an inch.
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecast for Saturday, but then the forecast is for sunny and dry through mid-week.