Conditions were cool and damp across much of the Tri-State region over the last week or so.
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KIMBALL – Conditions were cool and damp across much of the Tri-State region over the last week or so. In Kimball County south of I-80 locally heavy afternoon and evening thunderstorms delivered an average 1.64 inches of rain between Aug. 4-13. In some locations rainfall was heavy enough to cause flash flooding and to partially wash county roads. North of I-80 precipitation totals were somewhat less.
The precipitation and cool weather allowed for good moisture to accumulate in soils to a depth of 20-30 inches. Cool conditions retarded corn growth but in general rainfed summer crop conditions have improved markedly with moisture.
The August rain, coupled with moisture received in late July, gave warm season grasses a solid production boost and banked a good deal of moisture in the soil. This bodes well for the chances of cool season grass growth as summer fades into autumn. Winter annual grasses, particularly downy brome, were beginning to germinate.
Regional Forecast and Conditions
As of Tuesday morning, Aug. 15, the temperature at sunrise was 56 degrees under partly cloudy. The day was expected to be sunny and warm with temperatures climbing into the low 80’s.
Following a predicted cool and rainy day on Wednesday, the forecast calls for a return to seasonably warm and dry conditions through the weekend and into the middle of next week. Daytime temperatures were expected to peak in the upper 80’s with little if any precipitation in the forecast. The season chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms remains in effect across the region.
Air temperatures cooled across the region last week. At Kimball the Aug. 8-14 daytime high averaged 78.28 degrees, about 2 degrees cooler than the previous week. The weekly high temperature was 90 degrees on Aug. 14. Overnight lows averaged 53.71 degrees, about one-half degree cooler than the previous week. The weekly low temperature was 46 degrees on Aug. 11. The weekly mean temperature was 66.0 degrees, about 1 degree cooler than the previous week, and 4 degrees cooler than the August average of 70.0 degrees. The long term average high and low temperatures at Kimball for August are 85.9 and 54.2 degrees, respectively.
Twelve of 13 Panhandle stations reported precipitation over the Aug 8-14 period, with only Big Springs reporting no moisture. Rainfall totals ranged from 1.07 inches at Dalton to 0.06 inches at Sidney Municipal. Panhandle precipitation averaged 0.51 inches compared to 0.92 inches last week.
Panhandle soil temperatures cooled again over the Aug. 8-14 period: (this week/last week/change): Alliance 67.0/71.1 (-4.1) degrees; Gordon 70.0/73.0 (-3.0) degrees; Mitchell 71.2/75.1 (-3.9) degrees; Scottsbluff 71.6/76.2 (-4.6); and Sidney 68.2/76.5 (-8.3) degrees.
Winds near Kimball averaged east-southeast and mostly light over the Aug. 8-14 period. Gusts for the week averaged 25.57 mph. High gust for the week was 32 mph on August 8.
Weather Almanac
Here’s an overview of Aug. 18 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.
Last year: Daily high temperature 89 degrees, overnight low 49 degrees, average temperature 69 degrees. Precipitation 0.00 inches, snowfall zero inches, snow depth zero inches.
The warmest Aug. 18 on record was 99 degrees in 1995. The coolest high temperature was 62 degrees in 2015. The coldest overnight low was 41 degrees in 1927. The warmest overnight low was 68 degrees in 1936. Over the years since 1893 the high temperature has averaged 83 degrees, the overnight low 54 degrees, the daily average 68.8 degrees, precipitation has averaged 0.05 inches, snowfall zero inches, snow depth zero inches.
The highest precipitation total was 0.82 inches in 1984.
U.S. Drought Monitor
The High Plains: Hit-and-miss rainfall throughout the High Plains brought changes in this week’s Drought Monitor to every state.
In east central North Dakota, abnormally dry conditions (D0) were expanded because of continued rainfall deficits and reports of crops showing signs of drought stress. The entire state now has some level of dry/drought depiction. While other parts of the state received beneficial rainfall, it was typically just enough to “string crops along” and keep drought conditions from further deterioration in these areas. The only exception was a small area of improvement to the extreme drought (D3) conditions in the south central part of the state along the South Dakota border. This area has consistently received above-average rainfall and has 30-day totals in excess of 200 percent of normal.
South Dakota also saw a mix of improvements and degradations due to the spotty nature of last week’s rains. Locally heavy rainfall brought a full category improvement to an approximate one-to-two county wide band extending from northeast to central South Dakota. Counties along the southwestern edge of South Dakota’s drought-afflicted region missed out on the rains and saw an expansion of moderate and severe drought.
The Tri-State area of South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa also saw an expansion of severe drought (D2) conditions as rainfall deficits grew and crops began to see stress. However, Nebraska saw improvements on this week’s map. Locally heavy rainfall of 3-plus inches brought improvements to the abnormally dry (D0) areas in the northwest and southeast part of the state and the moderate (D1) and/or severe drought (D2) in the southwest and north central regions.
Counties in eastern Kansas received a month’s worth of precipitation in one week, erasing abnormally dry conditions. Central Kansas saw an expansion of moderate drought (D1) as continued rainfall deficits dried out soils, decreased streamflow and stressed vegetation.
National Summary: This week was marked by torrential rains and flooding in cities such as New Orleans, Houston, Kansas City, and Las Vegas. Heavy rainfall over the Gulf Coast and into the Mid-South kept drought conditions at bay while scattered showers and thunderstorms over the southern Rockies erased pockets of abnormally dry conditions.
Colorado
Widespread moisture was generally received across the state last week, improving crop conditions but delaying fieldwork.
Locally moderate to heavy precipitation and cooler temperatures improved rangeland conditions and replenished soil moisture supplies. Some areas that haven’t received recent moisture continue to be dry.
In northeastern counties, pasture and dryland crop conditions improved due to moisture, with irrigated crops also remaining in good condition. Irrigation water supplies are reported to be adequate and available through crop maturity, although some dryland crops stressed due to previous lack of moisture are likely to see decreased yields. A reporter in Weld county noted that considerable crop-damaging hail was observed last week.
East central counties also received moisture this week, with conditions looking very good. A reporter in southwestern Colorado noted that rain delayed alfalfa cutting and winter
wheat harvest.
In the San Luis Valley, rain also continues to hamper barley maturation and harvest, as well as alfalfa cutting and baling. Isolated hail reportedly damaged alfalfa and barley. Quality of alfalfa hay was noted to be diminished due to wet conditions. A reporter also noted that the rain has caused isolated incidences of barley sprout. Producers are preparing for fall potato harvest in the San Luis Valley.
In southeastern counties, delays to alfalfa harvest were noted again this week due to rain with poor quality reported. Isolated hail was reported with some damage sustained to crops in those localities.
Statewide, harvest of hay and small grains was behind the average by week’s end due to weather conditions.
Stored feed supplies were rated 1 percent short, 90 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.
Sheep death loss was 45 percent average and 55 percent light. Cattle death loss was 1 percent heavy, 65 percent average, and 34 percent light.