Drought Assessment for Nebraska

A:  January 1, 2006 - July 31, 2006

B:  January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2005

C:  January 1, 1999 - July 31, 2006

Official National Weather Service Observation Locations in Nebraska.  All amounts are in inches

ALSO SEE:  Lake McConaughy August 2, 2006 Drought Impact Update

ALSO SEE:  June 6, 2006 Drought Update for the Central Nebraska Platte River (includes photos

A:  January 1, 2006 - July 31, 2006
Precipitation (in inches) Compared to Normal

B:  January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2005
All red numbers indicate a deficit or below normal amount

All red numbers indicate a deficit or below normal amount

At the end of this 7-year, 7 month time period, all of the locations listed in the above
table are reporting a deficit in precipitation compared to normal.  The greatest
deficit is in the Grand Island and Kearney areas where over 2 1/2 feet of rainfall
(31.93 inches and 31.43 inches) are needed to make up the total deficit.

With timely rainfall, the impact may not be noted agriculturally, however,
hydrologically, lake levels, and river flows will continue to be dramatically impacted until
much of this deficit is restored.

Is the Drought Over?
Unlike most weather phenomena which have a well defined onset and end,
drought is much more difficult to determine the time of onset and its demise.

Agriculturally, timely rainfall can mask a deeper and longer term hydrological
drought by bringing moisture to shallow rooted crops.

At this point in 2006, some of the regions in Nebraska have received well less than
50% of normal precipitation.  These same areas have a deficit of ground water
recharging and reservoir filling, precipitation that exceed 2 feet in amounts.

The drought may be close to being over, but in reality the state remains in drought
conditions that will continue to impact water resources and permanent
vegetation across much of the state.

Lake McConaughy August 2, 2006 Drought Impact Update

Central Platte River Year 2005 Drought Photos