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May 2016 Climate Summary Now Available
Author: Crystal Stiles - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2016-06-06 16:40:57
Updated:
Overview - Wet Conditions Impact Crop Progress and Cause Flooding
May was a drier month than April across the central part of the High Plains, but wet conditions prevailed in locations such as southwestern Wyoming and the eastern halves of Nebraska and Kansas. Snowmelt and excessive rainfall caused the declaration of a state of emergency in Lander, Wyoming for flooding, and severe weather and slow-moving storms produced large hail and flooding in Nebraska and Kansas. The continuation of wet conditions in these areas resulted in a few top 5 records for wettest springs: Lander, WY (wettest), Topeka, KS (3rd wettest), and Valentine, NE (4th wettest). A positive impact of this abundant precipitation was it brought drought relief to Wyoming, and drought was removed in Kansas and Colorado. However, dryness was an issue in the Blackhills of South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming, and as a result, drought developed in that area. It was especially dry in Rapid City, South Dakota, which had its 2nd driest May on record.
Below-normal temperatures were prominent across the central and southern parts of the region this month. However, above-normal temperatures returned to North Dakota and northeastern South Dakota. It was especially warm near the Canadian border, as Minot, North Dakota experienced its 2nd warmest May on record. This warm pattern was evident across much of the eastern portion of the High Plains throughout the spring, and several locations had a top 5 warmest spring on record: Minot, ND (warmest), Bismarck, ND (4th warmest), Lincoln, NE (4th warmest), Fargo, ND (5th warmest), and Omaha, NE (5th warmest).
The growing season is now in full swing, and climate conditions in May had both positive and negative impacts on agriculture. On the positive side, pasture and range conditions were in good shape in areas that experienced ample moisture and cooler temperatures. However, freezes may have damaged crops in North Dakota and Kansas. Wet conditions caused delayed planting in Kansas and South Dakota, and seedling diseases emerged in corn fields in Nebraska.
For more information on temperature, precipitation, and impacts from climate in May in the High Plains region, please see the link to the full PDF of the summary: http://hprcc.unl.edu/climatesummaries.php
