About 1 percent of the area is used for urban development and for other purposes. These uplands are nearly level to rolling and are moderately dissected. Land in the north has a higher average slope gradient and is gullied. Land in the south is nearly level to undulating and has been affected more by soil blowing. Stream valleys are narrow and have steep gradients.
Local relief is mostly several meters.
Average annual precipitation - 625 to 875 mm, decreasing east to west. Maximum precipitation is in spring and in fall. Average precipitation during the frost-free period is about 500 to 600 mm. The summer moisture deficit ranges from about 175 to 250 mm. The moderate and somewhat erratic rainfall is the source of water for pasture and crops.