Heavy weekend rain across parts of Nebraska may have delivered more than just temporary relief. It could help stabilize crops and begin meaningful drought recovery in some of the state’s hardest-hit areas, according to Nebraska Extension climatologist Eric Hunt.
Hunt said south-central and southeastern Nebraska saw some of the most beneficial rainfall in months, with many areas receiving between two and four inches of precipitation since Saturday.
“Particularly for anybody rain fed in south central Nebraska, that might have been a crop-saving rain.”
Hunt said the rain was especially valuable because much of it fell steadily and was able to soak into dry soils instead of quickly running off.
“I think that the moisture is truly meaningful.”
He expects drought conditions to improve in portions of southern and eastern Nebraska on this week’s U.S. Drought Monitor update, with some locations potentially improving by an entire category. Hunt also noted the active weather pattern is expected to continue over the next couple of weeks, bringing additional opportunities for moisture to areas that missed out over the weekend.
“I don’t think the faucet is going to shut off for at least a little while.”
While the rainfall helped row crops in many areas, Hunt said Nebraska’s winter wheat crop still faces major challenges after prolonged drought and damaging spring weather across much of the Plains.