Nebraska’s recent run of timely rainfall may not be over.
Nebraska Extension climatologist Dr. Eric Hunt said he expects the weather pattern that has delivered periodic rain over the past several weeks to continue through much of July and into August, reducing the chances of a prolonged stretch of hot, dry weather.
“I think we’re probably going to kind of see what we’re seeing now on repeat,” Hunt said. “I do think we will see repeated frontal passages come through this summer with chances for moisture.”
The outlook comes as drought conditions continue to improve across Nebraska. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows nearly 14% of the state is now free of drought, up from less than 1% three months ago, although about 86% of Nebraska remains in some stage of drought.
Hunt said recent rainfall has left enough moisture in many areas to help fuel additional showers and thunderstorms as weather systems move through.
“There is enough moisture around that I think as long as we keep putting disturbances and boundaries in this region, we are going to see showers and thunderstorms develop,” Hunt said.
Hunt’s outlook
- Rain chances continue through much of July.
- Periods of heat are expected, but not a summer dominated by extreme temperatures.
- More days in the 80s than the upper 90s if the current pattern holds.
- Current conditions remain favorable for corn and soybean development.
“I do think we are probably looking at a fairly decent summer, all things considered,” Hunt said. “This is not going to be like 1980 or 2012, I don’t think.”
Hunt said one scenario to watch is a stronger high-pressure ridge shifting farther north into the central Plains later this summer, which could bring hotter and drier conditions. However, he said current weather patterns favor continued opportunities for rainfall instead.