153 AXUS73 KGID 292204 DGTGID KSC089-123-141-147-163-183-NEC001-019-035-047-059-061-065-073-077- 079-081-083-093-099-121-125-129-137-143-163-169-175-181-185- 062215- DROUGHT INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE 504 PM CDT Thu Jun 29 2023 ...THE ENTIRE NWS HASTINGS COVERAGE REMAINS IN MODERATE (D1) TO EXCEPTIONAL (D4) DROUGHT... Since this statement was last issued two weeks ago (June 15), drought categories (per the U.S. Drought Monitor) have remained stable/unchanged across the majority of our coverage area. However, some limited 1-category improvement has occurred in parts of several western/far southern counties, while some limited 1-category degradation has occurred in some southeastern areas. However, as it currently stands: - Our ENTIRE coverage area is in at least Moderate Drought (D1) - Slightly over 81 percent of our area is in at least Severe Drought (D2) - Nearly 42 percent of our area is in at least Extreme Drought (D3) - Slightly over 20 percent of our area is in worst-off Exceptional Drought (D4)...primarily impacting Nebraska counties along/east of the Highway 14 corridor. So far in June, rainfall patterns have been quite variable owing to generally disorganized, slow-moving thunderstorms. However, the general theme has involved the majority of rain falling within the western half of our coverage area (counties mainly west of the Highway 281 corridor), while especially our eastern-most Nebraska counties have continued to miss out on meaningful rainfall. Of particular note, our official NWS Cooperative Observer near York (York 3N) has only measured 6.22" of precipitation this year (as of June 29th): Not only is this an incredible 9.02" below normal, but it marks the driest year-to-date in 89 years...since 1934! For a graphical/multi-page PDF Drought Information Statement covering our local drought situation that is GENERALLY UPDATED AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH, please refer to the following link (normally updated on a Thursday): https://www.weather.gov/media/gid/climate/drought/DroughtBriefing.pdf When available, this PDF briefing can also be accessed as part of the "News Headlines" section at the top of our web page: www.weather.gov/hastings PLEASE NOTE: effective today, this PDF Drought Information Statement has a new format as part of a "beta test". Feedback/comments on this new format are encouraged (see e-mail address below)! && RELATED WEB SITES... Additional information on current drought conditions may be found at the following web address: National Weather Service Hastings http://www.weather.gov/hastings U.S. Drought Monitor http://www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu NOAA Drought Page http://www.drought.gov Climate Prediction Center http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov High Plains Regional Climate Center http://hprcc.unl.edu USDA Weather and Climate Products http://www.usda.gov/oce/weather/ NWS River Information http://www.weather.gov/ahps USGS River Information http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/rt ACKNOWLEDGMENTS... The drought monitor is a multi-agency effort involving NOAA's National Weather Service and National Climatic Data Center, the USDA, state and regional center Climatologists and the National Drought Mitigation Center. Information for this statement has been gathered from NWS and FAA observation sites, state cooperative extension services, the USDA, USACE and USGS. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS... If you have any questions or comments about this Drought Information Statement, please contact: National Weather Service 6365 North Osborne Drive West Hastings, NE 68901-9163 Phone: 402-462-4287 E-Mail: w-gid.webmaster@noaa.gov $$ Pfannkuch