June 2010 Climate Summary

For a printable version of the climate summary which includes more figures, data tables, and state summaries, click here. 

Temperature Summary

June 2010 temperatures were near normal for most locations across the High Plains Region.  Colorado and Kansas were the exceptions with both states having temperature departures of 2-4 degrees F (1.1-2.2 degrees C) above normal with pockets of temperature departures of 4-6 degrees F (2.2-3.3 degrees C) above normal.  Only small areas of Wyoming and the Dakotas had temperature departures of 2-4 degrees F (1.1-2.2 degrees C) below normal. 

These temperature departures caused many locations across Kansas and eastern Colorado to be ranked in the top 10 warmest Junes on record.  Topeka, Kansas recorded its 7th warmest June with an average temperature of 78.7 degrees F (25.9 degrees C).  This could not beat out the warmest June on record which occurred in 1934 with an average temperature of 82.3 degrees F (27.9 degrees C) (period of record 1887-2010).  Meanwhile, Colorado Springs, Colorado recorded its 5th warmest June with an average temperature of 69.6 degrees F (20.9 degrees C) which was 5.2 degrees F (2.9 degrees C) above normal.  The warmest June in Colorado Springs occurred in 2002 when an average temperature of 70.8 degrees F (21.6 degrees C) was recorded (period of record 1894-2010).  

Precipitation Summary

June 2010 was a wet month for much of the High Plains Region as a large swath extending from Wyoming, into Nebraska, and South Dakota received over 200 percent of normal precipitation.  Areas of central and eastern Nebraska received over 300 percent of normal precipitation.  The heavy rains led to flooding along many rivers and also in fields.  Record flooding occurred on the Elkhorn River at Norfolk, Nebraska when the river crested at 16.85 feet on June 16th.  The heavy rains also slowed crop progress and delayed field work.  In addition to heavy rains, severe weather was reported almost every day of the month in the Region.  A major tornado outbreak occurred on June 17th and at least 20 tornadoes were confirmed in eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

Numerous locations throughout Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, and Wyoming ranked in the top 10 wettest Junes on record and many recorded their wettest June on record (see table on page 2 of the climate summary).  This month’s wet spot was Ericson 6 WNW, Nebraska which is located in central Nebraska.  Ericson 6 WNW received 12.93 inches (328.42 mm) of precipitation which was 363 percent of normal precipitation.  This crushed the old record of 9.32 inches (236.73 mm) which was set in June 1908 (period of record 1893-2010).  4.26 inches (108.20 mm) of the monthly total fell in one day, June 13th, which beat the old record for the most one-day precipitation received during the month of June.  The old record was set June 14, 1920 with 3.50 inches (88.90 mm).

Climate Outlook

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) neutral conditions were present this month.  However, a transition to La Niña conditions is expected sometime during Summer 2010 as sea surface temperatures across the equatorial Pacific Ocean have continued to decrease.  The temperature outlook indicates a higher probability of below normal temperatures for Nebraska, the southern half of South Dakota, and the northern half of Kansas.  Southwestern Wyoming and all but the northeastern corner of Colorado have a higher probability for above normal temperatures.  Equal chances of above, near, or below normal temperatures are predicted elsewhere.  The precipitation outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal precipitation for Nebraska, the eastern half of Colorado, southern South Dakota, the western half of Kansas, and the southeast corner of Wyoming.  Equal chances of above, near, or below normal precipitation are predicted elsewhere in the Region.  More information about these forecasts can be found here.

Drought Watch

June brought only minor changes to the Drought Monitor.  North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas remained drought free this month.  However, little to no precipitation fell in southern Colorado which led to the development of abnormally dry conditions (D0).  D0 in northern Colorado persisted and D0 and moderate drought conditions (D1) in western Wyoming remained largely unchanged this month.  However, in the northwest corner of Wyoming, the severe drought conditions (D2) were downgraded to D1 and D0.  Even with this improvement, according to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released June 17th, the drought conditions in western Wyoming are expected to persist through September 2010.