Drought update for July 24 across Nebraska, (U.S. Drought Monitor, Courtesy)
KEARNEY — Drought conditions across central Nebraska have been easing slightly after the recent rainfall through late July. However, there are still pockets of severe drought in parts of the state.
Precipitation data so far in July shows that much of Nebraska has received above-average rainfall. To date, the Kearney area has received around 3.3 inches, Grand Island has received 3.28 inches and Hastings has received 2.81 inches.
Most areas in central Nebraska north of Interstate 80 are free from drought conditions, outside of an abnormally dry, D0, swath in western Buffalo County. Much of Custer County is also under D0 conditions.
The worst are severe drought, D2, conditions and is present across Harlan County, eastern Furnas County and all of Red Willow County. Several counties in the Panhandle are also under D2 conditions.
“On this week’s map, improvements were made in the region, namely in central northern Kansas, southeastern Nebraska, and South Dakota, where shorter-term precipitation (past 30-60 days) was normal to above normal,” per the U.S. Drought Monitor, “Additionally, these areas were showing improvements in other drought indicators including soil moisture, streamflow activity, and crop-related vegetation health indices.”
“For the week, light-to-heavy rainfall accumulations (ranging from 1 to 10 inches) were observed, with the heaviest amounts impacting northern Kansas and southeastern Nebraska,” per the Drought Monitor.
