Oct. 12, 2015
| Table 1. Average Soil Moisture Index by USDA NASS Crop District on Sept. 7, 2015. (Districts and EPA Ecoregions Defined) | ||
| Northwest | - 2.2 | |
| North Central | 2.0 | |
| Northeast | 2.6 | |
| Central | -1.4 | |
| East Central | 3.1 | |
| Southwest | -2.5 | |
| South Central | -2.6 | |
| Southeast | 0.4 | |
| *The Soil Moisture Index (SMI) is based on the estimated field capacity and wilting point at three depths (10 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm) at Automated Weather Data Network (AWDN) sites under grass cover. The index may not necessarily be representative of conditions of a nearby field, particularly if differences in total precipitation over the previous week have been significant. | ||
Most locations saw a slight drop in the Soil Moisture Index (SMI) compared to a week ago at this time, but the pattern of soil moisture remains the same across most of the state: Moist in the east and north central regions and dry elsewhere.
This pattern will hold for at least another week as precipitation should be non-existent for the next week across Nebraska. More seasonal temperatures later in the period should help prevent tremendous losses of soil moisture in areas where it is currently plentiful.
High Plains Regional Climate Center
