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June 2016 Climate Summary Now Available
Author: Crystal Stiles - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2016-08-05 17:17:57
Updated:
Overview - Warm and Dry Conditions Cause Drought Expansion
A major pattern change occurred in the High Plains in June, as cooler and wetter conditions in May abruptly transitioned to warmer and drier weather to start the summer season. Such extremes in moisture were evident in Concordia, Kansas, which went from having its 10th wettest May to its 10th driest June on record (period of record 1885-2016). Grand Island, Nebraska continuously missed out on rainfall, receiving only 0.05 inches (1 mm) of precipitation and having its driest June on record (period of record 1896-2016). Above-normal temperatures also returned to the region. Several locations reached 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C), including Colorado Springs, Colorado, which has an elevation of over 6,000 feet (1,829 m). Locations that had a top 10 warmest June were common across the entire region. Impressive records occurred in Alamosa, Colorado, which had its 2nd warmest June, and Scottsbluff, Nebraska, which tied for its 2nd warmest June on record (Alamosa period of record 1906-2016, Scottsbluff period of record 1893-2016). Heat waves occurred on several occasions, especially during the first two-thirds of the month, as ample atmospheric moisture combined with high temperatures to create uncomfortable conditions.
The warmth and dryness experienced in June caused impacts around the region. Drought developed in the eastern Dakotas and south-central Nebraska, and it intensified rapidly in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. Topsoil dried out quickly, and subsoil moisture began to decline. However, as of the end of June, drought conditions appeared to have caused only localized impacts to crops or rangeland. Despite the high temperatures and lack of adequate precipitation and soil moisture, crop and pasture conditions were mostly in good shape. This was likely due in part to cool and wet conditions in May, although this is likely to change if dryness continues into July. Dry weather also had positive impacts around the region, as it accelerated maturation of small grains in North Dakota and allowed for harvesting of winter wheat in Kansas.
For more information on temperature, precipitation, and impacts from climate in June in the High Plains region, please see the link to the full PDF of the summary: http://hprcc.unl.edu/climatesummaries.php
