Drought conditions across Nebraska as of Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, (U.S. Drought Monitor, Courtesy)
HASTINGS — A mix of drought conditions are present across the state of Nebraska, with extreme drought conditions present in the upper Panhandle.
It will take some time for the recent snowfall to melt, so the U.S. Drought Monitors’ update on Thursday, Jan. 9 still reflects the dry conditions prior to the snowfall.
Over Jan. 4 and Jan. 5, a strong winter storm passed through the area, with areas like Atlanta and Minden, Cozad and Holdrege receiving three inches of snow.
Grand Island reported 1.7 inches of snow.
The Tri-Cities region is under moderate drought, D1, conditions, with a swath of abnormally dry conditions, D0, to the immediate southwest of the region.
Extreme drought conditions, D3, have crept back into the state, but at the moment is limited to the upper Panhandle region. Much of northern Nebraska is under severe drought conditions, D2.
“Southwestern Nebraska has received little to no precipitation during the past seven weeks, prompting an expansion of D0. In addition, above-normal temperatures during the late fall and into the early winter exacerbated increasing short-term dryness,” the U.S. Drought Monitor stated.
