Freezing temperatures were reported at numerous locations across western Nebraska the morning of Wednesday, April 26. Additional frost/freeze advisories were issued by the National Weather Service (Figure 1) for Thursday morning, encompassing most of west central to eastern Nebraska and north to the South Dakota border. The lowest temperature reported Wednesday morning at an NWS location was 27°F at Alliance and Sidney.
The Climate Prediction Center (CPC) released its May and seasonal forecasts on April 20, slightly modifying its previous forecast for above normal precipitation for the western half of Nebraska through early fall. This shouldn’t come as a major surprise considering the roller coaster ride we have experienced with precipitation the past few months.
While all of Nebraska has seen precipitation in the last two weeks, amounts have varied widely. More rain and possibly snow is forecast for the next two weeks and may help to improve some areas that are still abnormally dry. Find the day by day breakdown here.
Figures 3-4. US precipitation maps from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center, from left: Outlook for Feb. 16-22 and experimental outlook for Feb. 18-March 3. Green indicates above average precipitation and numbers indicate percent likelihood.
We are now two-thirds of the way through our meteorological winter (December-February) and it is time to take stock of how the current upper air pattern will likely influence the remainder of our winter and whether these conditions will carry over into the first half of our spring season.
Nebraska's extended summer conditions appear to be nearing an end as the temperature trend is forecast to drop mid-November. The long-lead winter forecast sees potential for a roller coaster of highs and lows traversing the state from December through February.
The hard freeze felt across much of east central and northeast Nebraska Oct. 13 marks the second major freeze event of the month. The first, on Oct. 6, primarily impacted western Nebraska. Now, 38 of the 56 locations listed have reported minimum temperatures of 28ºF or lower (defined as a hard freeze).
Above normal temperatures and precipitation are forecast for October for Nebraska. A longer lead outlook indicates the potential for late winter rains that could hamper spring field operations.
