KIMBALL – Pleasant springtime conditions were interrupted last week with the arrival of a slow moving weather front which brought sharply cooler air temperatures to the tri-state region. In addition to early-spring temperatures, the weather system delivered widespread soaking rains and snowfall.
At Kimball, precipitation from the weather front totaled about 2 3/4 inches, most of which came as rain. A total of about three inches of snow also fell. Temperatures were quite cool with overnight lows falling to very near the freezing mark.
Across the region last week’s precipitation kept farmers out of the field and cool temperatures slowed crop development.
The moisture was very beneficial for pastures
and rangeland.

Regional Forecast and Conditions
As of Tuesday, May 16, conditions at Kimball were cool and damp and expected to remain so through Sunday.
Daytime highs Saturday-Sunday are expected to peak in the upper 50’s to low 60’s with overnight lows falling into the low 40’s. A 50 percent chance of showers possible on those days. Warming air temperatures and sunshine are expected to set in on Memorial Day and, through Wednesday, daytime highs should reach into the 70’s with overnight lows dipping into the 40’s. Clear skies and sunshine should prevail during this period with the usual springtime chance of scattered, localized thunderstorms.
Air temperatures cooled once again across the region last week. At Kimball the May 16-22 daytime high averaged 57.57 degrees, about 12 degrees cooler than the previous week. The weekly high temperature was 71 degrees on May 16. Overnight lows averaged 37.57 degrees, about 13 degrees cooler than the previous week. The weekly low temperature was 34 degrees on May 18-19-20. The weekly mean temperature was 47.57 degrees, about 11 degrees cooler than the previous week, and about 8 degrees cooler than the May average of 55.0 degrees. The long term average high and low temperatures at Kimball for May are 69.3 and 40.7 degrees, respectively.
All 13 Panhandle stations reported precipitation over the May 16-22 period, ranging from 3.56 inches at Gordon to 0.66 inches at Sidney Municipal. Panhandle precipitation averaged 2.25 inches for the week compared to 0.71 inches last week.
Soil temperatures warmed last week, ranging from 6.3 to 7.2 degrees cooler than the previous week across the Panhandle. May 16-22 soil temperatures (this week/last week/change): Alliance 53.8/60.9 (-7.1) degrees; Gordon 54.0/60.3 (-6.3) degrees; Mitchell 55.9/62.4 (-6.5) degrees; Scottsbluff 54.5/61.1 (-6.6); and Sidney 55.2/62.4 (-7.2) degrees.
Winds near Kimball averaged south-southeasterly and often breezy over the May 16-22 period. Gusts for the week averaged 31.00 mph. High gust for the week was 36 mph on May 18 and 22.

May 26 Weather Almanac
Here’s an overview of May 26 temperature and precipitation highs, lows, and averages over the preceding 123 years at Kimball. Data is taken from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (www.hprcc.unl.edu), where you can easily find and track data for your own particular location.
May 26, 2016: Daily high temperature 71 degrees, overnight low 39 degrees, average temperature 55.0 degrees. Precipitation 0.02 inches, snowfall zero inches, snow depth
zero inches.
The warmest May 26 on record was 90 degrees in 1969. The coolest May 26 high temperature was 43 degrees in 1950. The coldest May 26 overnight low was 26 degrees in 1893. The warmest May 26 overnight low was 57 degrees in 1929. Over the years since 1893 the high temperature on May 26 has averaged 71 degrees, the overnight low 44 degrees, the daily average 57.4 degrees, precipitation has averaged 0.11 inches, snowfall zero inches, snow depth zero inches.
The highest May 26 precipitation recorded over the last 123 years was 1.50 inches in 1955.
Snow has fallen on May 26 at Kimball one time over the last 123 years. The greatest May 26 snowfall was a trace in 1950. Measurable May 26 snow depth was reported in zero of the last 123 years. May 26 snow depth was zero inches throughout the period of record.

U.S. Drought Monitor
May 16
The High Plains: Wet weather continued across southern sections of the High Plains region and moved into northern areas as the monitoring period ended. Rain that fell after 7 a.m. CDT on May 16 will be reflected on next week’s map. In north-central Colorado, coverage of moderate drought (D1) was greatly reduced by recent and ongoing wetness. Farther north, there was some modest expansion of dryness (D0), mainly in North Dakota, although conditions were highly favorable for fieldwork. During the week ending May 14, 45 percent of the corn acreage was planted in South Dakota, along with 35 percent in North Dakota. However, South Dakota also led the northern U.S. in topsoil moisture rated very short to short (40 percent on May 14), as well as rangeland and pastures rated very poor to poor (20 percent).
National Summary: An active weather pattern continued to result in widespread showers, with some of the heaviest rain falling across the Plains, Midwest, and mid-South. Another area of significant precipitation stretched across the middle and northern Atlantic States, while showers also dotted the Northwest. In contrast, mostly dry weather prevailed from California to the lower Rio Grande Valley, as well as large sections of the lower Southeast. Drought changes from last week were a mix of improvement and deterioration. Specifically, warm, dry weather and short-term rainfall deficits in Texas led to significant increases in the coverage of abnormal dryness (D0) and moderate to severe drought (D1 to D2). Also, hot, mostly dry conditions led to further expansion of moderate to extreme drought (D1 to D3) across southern Georgia and Florida’s peninsula. Elsewhere, patchy improvements in the drought situation were noted in a few areas, including parts of the Southeast.

For more information on the U.S. Drought Monitor visit: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu

U.S. Conditions and Weather Report
Soaking rainfall returned across much of the Midwest, stalling most fieldwork. Some of the heaviest rain, 2 to 4 inches or more, fell in upper Midwestern States that had planted one-quarter to one-half of their corn and soybeans the previous week, from May 8-14.
In the lower Midwest, several days of warm, dry weather provided a brief fieldwork window. In fact, weekly temperatures generally averaged 5 to 10 degrees above normal from the middle Mississippi Valley to the Atlantic Seaboard.
From May 17-19, a short-lived heat wave along the Atlantic Seaboard pushed temperatures to 90 degrees or higher.
In contrast, a late-week cool spell resulted in some patchy freezes across the northwestern half of the Plains. Temperatures averaged at least 5 degrees below normal across large sections of the northern High Plains and the West.
In addition, late-season snow, ranging locally from one to three feet, blanketed the northern and central Rockies and environs.
Showers dotted the Northwest, but cool, mostly dry weather covered the Southwest. In California, a late-week warming trend promoted fieldwork and crop development.
Elsewhere, heavy showers and locally severe thunderstorms dotted the central and southern Plains on May 16 and 18-19, causing flash flooding and resulting in local wind, hail, and tornado damage.
High winds and isolated tornadoes also struck the upper Midwest, primarily on May 16-17. However, rain mostly bypassed the southern Atlantic region, parts of which remained stricken by drought.

USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Reports

Colorado
Rain and snow across the state halted fieldwork mid-week. Several localities received several inches of rain, with areas at higher elevation receiving moderate to heavy snow. Precipitation continues to improve dryland crop and pasture conditions, as well as soil moisture.
In Northeast counties, reporters noted that wheat mosaic virus has spread and some wheat is damaged beyond recovery. Isolated severe weather and damaging hail was also reported. A reporter noted that some sugarbeets are being replanted due to a previous damaging freeze.
Concern over increased wheat stripe rust infection due to wet conditions was noted in East Central counties.
In Southwest counties, freezing temperatures were experienced that may have caused damage to wheat.
The San Luis Valley also received late snow and freezing temperatures that damaged some growing alfalfa. Barley planting is nearing completion in the San Luis Valley.
Statewide, winter wheat remained mostly in fair to
good condition.
Stored feed supplies were rated 4 percent short, 87 percent adequate, and 9
percent surplus.
Sheep death loss was 70 percent average and 30 percent light. Cattle death loss was 2 percent heavy, 77 percent average, and 21 percent light.
Nebraska
For the week ending May 21, temperatures averaged three to five degrees below normal, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Significant rainfall of two inches or more was recorded across the majority of counties; however, rainfall totals of three inches or more were recorded across the southeast. Producers made planting progress during the early part of the week, but wet conditions kept farmers out of the field for the remainder of the week. There were 2.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 0 percent very short, 5 short, 74 adequate, and 21 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 1 percent very short, 6 short, 80 adequate, and 13 surplus.
Field Crops Report: Corn planted was 87 percent, near 88 last year and 91 for the five-year average. Emerged was 52 percent, near 48 last year, but behind 57 average.
Soybeans planted was 52 percent, near 50 last year, but behind 61 average. Emerged was 13 percent, near 12 last year, but behind 21 average.
Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 12 poor, 41 fair, 41 good, and 4 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 99 percent, ahead of 94 last year and 86 average. Headed was 55 percent, ahead of 42 last year and 36 average.
Sorghum planted was 18 percent, behind 28 last year and 36 average. Emerged was 6 percent.
Oats condition rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 22 fair, 74 good, and 4 excellent. Oats jointed was 46 percent, near 43 last year. Headed was 6 percent, equal to last year and near
4 average.
Alfalfa condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 12 fair, 76 good, and 11 excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 8 percent, near 12 last year, and behind 17 average.
Pasture and range conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 26 fair, 62 good, and 11 excellent.
Stock water supplies rated 0 percent very short, 1 short, 93 adequate, and 6 surplus.

Wyoming
Wyoming experienced cooler than normal temperatures for the week. All 34 stations reported below average temperatures, with the high temperature of 79 degrees recorded at Torrington and a low of 20 degrees at Big Piney and Lake Yellowstone.
All stations reported some precipitation, with Old Fort Laramie having the most at 3.21 inches and Big Piney having the least with 0.15 inches. Greater than average precipitation was reported at 29 stations across
the state.
A reporter from North Central Wyoming indicted that they received some more rain last week and they are planting as the can. They also indicated that the grass is green and they are almost through with calving.
A source from Northeastern Wyoming reported rain last week, but it was dispersed and varied a lot in amounts. They also indicated many areas need more moisture and recent cool weather has slowed
plant growth.
A reporter from Western Wyoming said last week’s weather was cool, which slowed the runoff but the added moisture received has added to the flooding problem. They also indicated that farmers are doing some planting as conditions allow.
A Southwestern Wyoming reported said excessive runoff and flooding has slowed due to cooler weather.
Reports from South Central Wyoming indicated some moisture, but grass is still short and slow to grow.
A reporter from Southeastern Wyoming said that excess spring moisture is providing excellent spring grazing, but the recent snow was a hardship. Another reporter from Southeast Wyoming reported some wheat was laid over by the wet heavy snow. Precipitation reports varied from two inches to four inches of liquid moisture from as much as 12 inches
of snow.
Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 4 percent very short, 5 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus.
were blooming Tuesday on a ranch near Kimball.