Drought in Nebraska, June 1 to 30, 2022

Name: Drought in Nebraska, June 1 to 30, 2022
Start: 2022-06-01T00:00
End: 2022-06-30T23:59
Location: Nebraska

June 1 to 30, 2022 · NWS GID · 17 events in 17 counties and zones

S. Drought Monitor (USDM), marking the fifth consecutive month with D2 within the area and the fourth straight month with (at least limited) D3.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 17 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
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Winter weather
Heat and drought
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Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 17

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS GID wrote it up.

For at least some portion of June 2022, 17 of the 24 South Central Nebraska counties were completely-or-partially assigned either Severe (D2) or Extreme Drought (D3) by the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), marking the fifth consecutive month with D2 within the area and the fourth straight month with (at least limited) D3. Unfortunately, following somewhat encouraging precipitation trends during May, things again took a downturn during June, with the vast majority of the local area registering below normal rainfall (more on this below). Getting into county-based USDM drought category details, June opened with roughly the southwestern one-third of Furnas County assigned D3, while at least portions of 16 other counties featured D2: Valley, Greeley, Nance, Sherman, Howard, Merrick, Dawson, Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Gosper, Phelps, Kearney, Adams, Clay and Harlan. Outside of these worst-off D3/D2 areas, portions of each of the remaining six far eastern/southern local counties (along the Highway 81 and Highway 136 corridors) were either completely-or-partially assigned Moderate Drought (D1), with Thayer County featuring the overall best conditions with mostly D0 (Abnormally Dry). As June went along, there were not sweeping changes in categories, although a few rain events mainly during the first half of the month: 1) prompted the removal of D3 from western Furnas County (although D2 remained)...2) resulted in a decrease in the coverage of D2 within several counties mainly along/north of Interstate 80...3) brought the overall-greatest improvement to Polk/York counties, with most of these counties actually void of all drought categories by late-month.

Focusing on June 2022 rainfall data, nearly 90 percent of the 24-county area received below normal totals (generally less than 4 inches), with roughly 40% of the area measuring less than half of the June normal (generally less than 2). The majority of South Central Nebraska tallied somewhere between 1.25-4.00. The overall-driest areas were scattered across various counties, but were most pronounced within portions of: Valley, Greeley, Howard, Merrick, Harlan and Franklin. Of the roughly 10% of the area that received above normal rainfall, it was primarily concentrated within decent chunks of Polk, York and Hamilton counties, along with small sections of Buffalo and Hall counties. Per several dozen NWS/CoCoRaHS observers, a few of the very driest June totals included merely 0.67 nine miles northwest of Ord, 0.72 in St. Paul and 0.80 in Greeley. In contrast, a few of the localized, solidly above-normal monthly tallies featured: 6.57 in Aurora, 5.21 in Gibbon and 5.04 on the east side of York.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Hastings, NE wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at May 31, 11:48 PM CST, 12 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, May 31, 11:48 PM CST, 12 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1248 AM CDT Wed Jun 1 2022

...Aviation Update...

.UPDATE...
Issued at 958 PM CDT Tue May 31 2022

Sent an update this evening to slow onset of PoPs, and in general,
decr PoPs altogether across the board.

Latest 00Z continues trends of last several runs of keeping best
chcs for widespread measurable rain mostly W and S of the area
over the next 24 hrs...so have confined any PoPs higher than 20-30
percent in these areas. Would be surprised if most of our Neb.
zones get anything more than sprinkles or a hundredth. Also
trimmed back to the S the mention of any thunder.

&&

.DISCUSSION...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 149 PM CDT Tue May 31 2022

Surface high pressure is building south/southeast from Wyoming this
afternoon. Pressure rises are the precursor to an increasing north
wind this afternoon/tonight across the area as cold advection
deepens. Cold air aloft has developed a few sprinklers in north
central Nebraska. Added the sprinklers to far north/northwest
areas for the next 2-3 hours. It is a strictly a trace event, but
Thedford and Valentine have both reported sprinkles. There are a
couple of upper level waves to the west, one in northwest Colorado
and a second, slightly stronger wave to the southwest of Salt
Lake City. Both of these features will move east the next 24
hours, but also weaken, become sheared and less intense as well.

Though weakening, these waves, along with a favorable right rear
quadrant of a strong H25 jet will be help develop at least some
light precipitation late tonight which will linger into Wednesday.
Recent model runs have tapered the precipitation back some in
coverage and amounts. Have continued with higher rain chances the
further south one goes, favoring north central Kansas for the bulk
of any reasonable measurable amount of rain, but there is at least
some chance of rain in south central Nebraska during the day
Wednesday (though for most locations it "won't be much"). Timing is
largely focused on the 4AM to about 6 pm Wednesday from west to
east, with the best shot for rain across the south as mentioned
(Rooks, Osborne and Mitchell counties especially). Instability is
marginal at best (if really any) as mid level lapse rates don't
support much thunderstorm activity. Have tempered back the
thunderstorms to more showers during most of the day Wednesday.
Even more recent trends (ECMWF) suggest we may need to pull back
overall precipitation chances even more tonight. The clouds and a
north wind wind Wednesday (and sort of dampish conditions
overall) favor much below normal temperatures in the 60s at best
for highs Wednesday.

Brief shortwave ridging will set up across the area Thursday and
Friday bringing dry conditions and warmer temperatures, at least
closer to normal for the first week of June. Of note, will be
comfortable dewpoints as well (in the 40s/low 50s). Couple of really
nice days, especially Thursday with a bit less wind. Moving into
Friday night, as the ridge breaks down, an upper level wave will
traverse across the area in weak northwest flow on the cyclonic side
of Canadian provinces upper low. That brings a chance of mainly
overnight showers/isolated storms to the area. Instability is
limited and no severe weather is expected Friday night.

It begins what looks like a wetter period overall going into next
week in this consistent west/northwest upper level flow. It's not
going to rain all the time by any means, and rain amounts will vary
from place-to-place as always, but there area several passing
precipitation chances Friday night through Tuesday. Low level
moisture will be on the increase Saturday. That will provide a bit
more juice/instability to any thunderstorms which develop beginning
late Saturday night. A slightly more significant/stronger wave times
out about Monday night. Also, the precipitation chances favor the
overnight period, at least through Monday night. Temperatures will
reflect the clouds and increased rainfall potential and be below
normal, with several days in the 70s for highs.

EPS/GEFS data suggest the normal to slightly below normal
temperatures will continue for about the first 12-15 days of
June, lending itself to a mild start to the summer season. One can
never rule out the severe weather risk in June with several
precipitation chances, but with the cooler weather the prospects
for an "abhorrent" amount of severe weather seem lower than
normal.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 06Z KGRI/KEAR TAFS through 06Z Thursday)
Issued at 1235 AM CDT Wed Jun 1 2022

VFR conditions are expected through the period. Ceilings of 6-8kft
arrive during the day on Wednesday. Some sprinkles are also
possible, but any accumulating rain will likely stay to the south
of the terminals.

Winds will be light and out of the north before becoming light and
variable Wednesday evening.

&&

.GID WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NE...NONE.
KS...NONE.
&&

UPDATE...Thies
DISCUSSION...NOAA/NWS/Moritz
AVIATION...Mangels

Hazardous weather outlook, May 31, 9:04 PM CST, 2 hours 56 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Hastings NE
1004 PM CDT Tue May 31 2022

NEZ039>041-046>049-060>064-072>077-082>087-011200-
Valley-Greeley-Nance-Sherman-Howard-Merrick-Polk-Dawson-Buffalo-
Hall-Hamilton-York-Gosper-Phelps-Kearney-Adams-Clay-Fillmore-
Furnas-Harlan-Franklin-Webster-Nuckolls-Thayer-
1004 PM CDT Tue May 31 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for south central Nebraska.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

Thunderstorms are back into the forecast beginning late Friday,
and continuing off and on through Monday night. At this point, it
is too early to determine the severe weather potential for this
timeframe.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

&&

More information may be obtained at the following web page:
   https://www.weather.gov/hastings

KSZ005>007-017>019-011200-
Phillips-Smith-Jewell-Rooks-Osborne-Mitchell-
1004 PM CDT Tue May 31 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Kansas.

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

An isolated thunderstorm or two is possible after 3 AM tonight
but no severe weather is expected.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday.

A lingering thunderstorm is possible before 10 AM Wednesday but
severe weather is not expected.

Thunderstorms are back into the forecast beginning late
Friday, and continuing off and on through Monday night.
At this point, it is too early to determine the severe
weather potential for this timeframe.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation will not be needed through tonight.

&&

More information may be obtained at the following web page:
   https://www.weather.gov/hastings

Thies

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

17 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Valley

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Valley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 41.567, -98.982 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Greeley

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Greeley forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 41.567, -98.521 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Howard

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Howard forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 41.220, -98.517 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Sherman

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Sherman forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 41.221, -98.976 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Nance

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Nance forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 41.397, -97.992 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Merrick

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Merrick forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 41.170, -98.038 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Dawson

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Dawson forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.870, -99.820 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Buffalo

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Buffalo forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.855, -99.075 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Gosper

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Gosper forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.515, -99.831 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Phelps

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Phelps forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.511, -99.414 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Kearney

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Kearney forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.507, -98.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Adams

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Adams forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.525, -98.501 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Furnas

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 30, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Furnas forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.177, -99.912 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Hamilton

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 13, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.874, -98.023 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Clay

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 13, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.524, -98.051 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Hall

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 13, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hall forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.873, -98.502 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Harlan

When: June 1, 12:00 AM CST to June 13, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Harlan forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 40.177, -99.405 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Drought: A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Nebraska in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in Nebraska, June 2022

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1032720, 1032721, 1032722, 1032723, 1032724, 1032725, 1032726, 1032727, 1032728, 1032729, 1032731, 1032732, 1032733, 1032734, 1032735, 1032736, 1040217.