Drought in Nebraska

Events

3,444

Deaths

0

Injuries

0

Damage

$1.2 billion

• Drought in Nebraska, December 1 to 31, 2002$480 million · 24 eventsThe prolonged drought across central and south-central Nebraska occasionally was classified into the extreme to exceptional category this summer and fall. Most dry land crops were near a total loss and there was some decreased yield with irrigated crops.
• Drought in Nebraska, July 1 to 31, 2012$279 million · 27 eventsSevere drought conditions (D2) continued from late June into early July. The combination of intense heat and a lack of rainfall, allowed extreme (D3) to expand to across all counties.
• Drought in Nebraska, September 1 to 30, 2000$240 million · 24 eventsAs the 2000 growing season came to a close, south-central Nebraska continued in the grip of the year long drought.
• Drought in Nebraska, October 1 to 31, 2012$119 million · 24 eventsAlthough October was not quite as dry as September across most of South Central Nebraska, it nonetheless marked the sixth consecutive month of below normal precipitation across the majority of the 24-county area.
• Drought in Nebraska, November 1 to 30, 2013$30 million · 6 eventsAccording to the U.S. Drought Monitor, November 2013 marked the 18th consecutive month during which drought of at least category D2 Severe intensity plagued at least some portion of South Central Nebraska, prolonging one of the most notable droughts in decades.
• Drought in Nebraska, June 20 to 30, 2012$13 million · 22 eventsA drought, which began the in the middle of June expanded east into western Nebraska to impact hydrologic and agricultural types. Precipitation was well below normal as temperatures rose well above normal.
• Drought in Nebraska, August 1 to 31, 2022$12 million · 2 eventsPrecipitation averaged from near normal in the vicinity of the Missouri River, to 50 to 75 percent of normal toward southern Dixon County, while temperatures were generally near normal.
• Drought in Nebraska, July 1 to 31, 2022$7.5 million · 2 eventsAbove-normal temperatures and well below-normal precipitation led to the persistence of extreme drought conditions across northeast Nebraska.
• Drought in Nebraska, October 1 to 31, 2023$6.7 million · 2 eventsPrecipitation was between 175 percent and 200 percent of normal across northeast Nebraska during October.
• Drought in Nebraska, September 1 to 30, 2022$4.7 million · 2 eventsA persistence of above normal temperatures and minimal precipitation maintained or worsened long-term drought conditions.
• Drought in Nebraska, August 1 to 31, 2012$700,000 · 27 eventsThe drought that began late June continued to intensify as the trend of strong high pressure aloft sustained dry and hot weather. Temperatures were above average and the suppressed rainfall let to spotty rainfall in some areas.
• Drought in Nebraska, June 1 to 30, 2022$904,000 · 2 eventsWell-below normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures contributed to worsening drought conditions.
• Drought in Nebraska, May 1 to 31, 2022$392,000 · 2 eventsA fairly average month for precipitation and temperature led to a status quo in drought conditions.
• Drought in Nebraska, July 1 to 31, 2021$308,000 · 1 eventTemperatures and precipitation averaged fairly close to normal during July.
• Drought in Nebraska, August 1 to 31, 2021$286,000 · 2 eventsTemperatures were slightly above normal during the month. The spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall, with more widespread heavier amounts toward the end of the month, defined drought trends. Overall, conditions improved somewhat by month's end.
• Drought in Nebraska, October 6 to 31, 2020$275,000 · 2 eventsPrecipitation continued below normal across northeast Nebraska, varying from 50 to 75 percent of normal. Temperatures were well-below normal.
• Drought in Nebraska, November 1 to 22, 1999$55,000 · 31 eventsA drought, which began in early September, ended, at least temporarily, for much of eastern Nebraska on November 22nd when .5 to 1.5 inches of precipitation fell. For many locations, this was the first significant rain of over a quarter of an since September 4th.
• Drought in Nebraska, September 1 to 21, 2021$221,000 · 2 eventsOverall, precipitation near to a little above normal across northeast Nebraska led to the alleviation of severe drought.
• Drought in Nebraska, August 18 to 31, 2020$160,000 · 1 eventRainfall of 25 to 50 percent of normal during July and August with above normal temperatures led to the development of severe short-term drought conditions over much of northeast Nebraska.
• Drought in Nebraska, June 8 to 30, 2021$100,000 · 1 eventTemperatures averaged 5 to 6 degrees above normal, and precipitation varied between 25 and 50 percent of normal across northeast Nebraska during June.
• Drought in Nebraska, November 1 to 30, 201232 eventsThe drought persisted into November with Exceptional Drought (D4) condition. In November rainfall remained below normal and the average daily mean temperatures above normal for little change in soil conditions.
• Drought in Nebraska, January 1 to 31, 201331 eventsThe drought that began in June and expanded to become an Exceptional (D4) Drought in 2012 continues into January 2013. While the weather in January was characterized as progressive the storm track provided little relief or recharge to the depleted soil moisture.
• Drought in Nebraska, December 1 to 31, 201230 eventsDrought conditions improved little across eastern Nebraska during December although some areas of southeast and east central Nebraska received 1 to 1.5 inches or more of precipitation, in some cases more than 1/2 inch above normal.
• Drought in Nebraska, September 1 to 30, 201230 eventsHot and very dry conditions persisted into early September across eastern Nebraska, as the first few days of the month saw little or no rainfall along with high temperatures frequently in the 90s.
• Drought in Nebraska, October 1 to 31, 201230 eventsDrought conditions persisted into and through October across eastern Nebraska. Rainfall for the month was near normal over most of the region, the exception was northeast Nebraska where some locations received amounts that were 1.5 inches or so below normal.

Drought everywhereEvery kind of event in Nebraska

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.