Drought conditions across Nebraska as of Thursday, Feb. 12, (U.S. Drought Monitor, Courtesy)
KEARNEY — All of south-central Nebraska is experiencing ongoing drought conditions as the winter season to date has seen a marked lack of precipitation.
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor update, released on Thursday, Feb. 12, counties along and north of the Platte River are under moderate drought, D1, conditions, while counties south of the river are generally under abnormally dry, D0, conditions.
“The High Plains saw little to no meaningful precipitation this week, with most of the region receiving less than 25 percent of normal and many locations at or below 5 percent of normal precipitation,” per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“Similarly, growing short- to medium-term precipitation deficits, below-normal soil moisture percentiles and elevated evaporative demand led to the introduction of extreme drought (D3) to Nebraska’s Panhandle. Eastern Nebraska also saw the expansion of abnormal dryness (D0) as the lack of precipitation has led to drying conditions,” the Drought Monitor.
Around 95 percent of Nebraska is under some type of drought condition, with only a swath of counties in far southeastern Nebraska in normal conditions.
According to the Climate Prediction Center, the 8-14 day precipitation outlook does hint at just above normal amounts throughout the period. Temperatures look to remain above normal through this time of the year.
