June 2012 Climate Summary

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

Temperature Summary

June 2012 was hot and dry across the High Plains Region. The largest temperature departures occurred in an area encompassing the panhandle of Nebraska, eastern Wyoming, eastern Colorado, and northwestern Kansas where the departures from normal temperature ranged from 6.0-10.0 degrees F (3.3-5.6 degrees C) above normal. The only areas in the Region to have lower than normal temperatures were northwest Wyoming and a few pockets of North Dakota. The warm pattern caused many locations across the Region to be ranked in the top 10 warmest Junes on record. Colorado Springs, Colorado had its warmest June on record with an average temperature of 73.2 degrees F (22.9 degrees C) which was 8.1 degrees F (4.5 degrees C) above normal. This crushed the old record of 70.8 degrees F (21.6 degrees C) which occurred in 2002 (period of record 1894-2012). Interestingly, each of the past three years in Colorado Springs have been ranked in the top 10 warmest Junes on record - 2012 was ranked warmest, 2011 was ranked 3rd warmest, and 2010 was ranked 7th warmest. For more information on June temperature rankings, please see the full summary.

In addition to monthly records, hundreds of daily records were set across the Region. This was especially the case the last week of the month as temperatures skyrocketed. Many locations in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming set or tied their all-time record highs (for any day of the year). With one of the highest temperatures in the Region, McCook, Nebraska set a new all-time record high with 115 degrees F (46.1 degrees C) on June 26th. The old record of 114 degrees F (45.6 degrees C) was set on July 20, 1932 (period of record 1909-2012). Another location that set its all-time record high was Colorado Springs, Colorado. Colorado Springs hit 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) on both the 23rd and 24th, which tied the record at the time. But, two days later, on the 26th, a new all-time record high was established when the temperature got to 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C). The impressive part is that within 4 days (June 23-26), the temperature was at or above 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) 3 times, yet previously, Colorado Springs had only hit 100 degrees F (37.8 degrees C) 4 other times since records began in 1894.

When taking a look at 2012 so far, June was just one more month of continued warmth. Most of the Region has had warmer than normal temperatures each month this year and this has caused many locations to have their warmest first half of a year ever. One example was Omaha, Nebraska which had its warmest January-June on record with an average temperature of 53.6 degrees F (12.0 degrees C). The old record of 51.9 degrees F (11.1 degrees C) was set in 1921 (period of record 1871-2012).

The continued hot and dry conditions have taken their toll on pastureland across Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, producers in those states had to relocate or reduce their livestock herds due to poor pastureland conditions. Row crops were also starting to show signs of stress from the hot and dry weather. Although severe weather was not widespread this month, hail damage to crops was reported in the Dakotas and Wyoming. On June 7th, a tornado, hail, and high winds affected approximately 20,000 acres in southeastern Wyoming. For more information on the June fires, please see the full summary.

Precipitation Summary

Precipitation was significantly lacking in all but a few isolated areas of the High Plains Region this month.  Most of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Kansas received less than 50 percent of normal precipitation. There were even large areas of the Region that received less than 5 percent of normal precipitation, including western and central Wyoming, northwest Colorado, and central Nebraska. Unfortunately, only isolated areas scattered across the Region received near normal precipitation. One of the few locations to receive higher than normal precipitation was Seward, Nebraska which set a new record for the highest one-day precipitation total in June. On June 15th, an incredible 4.55 inches (116 mm) fell in Seward which smashed the old daily record of 3.40 inches (86 mm) set in 1982. This amount also beat the old June record of 3.75 inches (95 mm) set on June 25, 1989. To put this one-day precipitation total in perspective, the normal precipitation for the entire month of June in Seward is 4.42 inches (112 mm). By the end of the month, the total June precipitation was 5.74 inches (146 mm), which ranked as the 25th wettest June on record (period of record 1893-2012).

The majority of locations in the Region received little to no precipitation this month and this dearth of precipitation caused many locations to be ranked in the top 10 driest Junes on record. Pueblo, Colorado had its 3rd driest June on record with only 0.07 inches (2 mm) of precipitation (period of record 1888-2012). This small amount of precipitation was 1.29 inches (33 mm) below normal, or 5 percent of normal precipitation. Pueblo’s driest June on record occurred in 1990, when no measurable precipitation fell. So far, 2012 has also been a dry year for Pueblo, which has only received 2.53 inches (64 mm) of liquid precipitation (January 1 to June 30). That makes this period the 9th driest on record in Pueblo. Another very dry location in the Region was Scottsbluff, Nebraska. The January 1 to June 30 precipitation total of 3.92 inches (100 mm) ranks as the 2nd driest on record (period of record 1893-2012). The driest on record occurred only 10 years ago, when 2.50 inches (64 mm) fell in 2002.

Climate Outlook

ENSO-neutral conditions continue and there is a 50 percent chance that El Niño conditions will develop later this year. The temperature outlook indicates a higher probability of above normal temperatures for Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, southwest North Dakota, and all but the far northeast corner of South Dakota. The precipitation outlook indicates a higher probability of below normal precipitation for northwest Wyoming. Equal chances of above, near, or below normal precipitation and temperatures are predicted elsewhere in the Region. The seasonal outlooks combine the effects of long-term trends, soil moisture, and when applicable, the El Niño Southern Oscillation cycle (ENSO). More information about these forecasts can be found here.

Drought Watch

There were major changes to the U.S. Drought Monitor this month as hot and dry conditions prevailed over the majority of the Region. Drought conditions developed or worsened in each state in the Region over the past month. At the end of the month nearly 84 percent of the Region had a D0-D4 designation (abnormally dry to exceptional drought conditions), while at the end of last month the figure was 66 percent. The expansion of the D2-D4 range (severe to exceptional drought conditions) was quite impressive as it jumped from 8 percent coverage at the end of May to 47 percent coverage at the end of June. The entire state of Colorado has D1 designation (moderate drought conditions) or higher, and by the end of the month nearly 46 percent of the state was experiencing D3 (extreme drought conditions). D3 conditions also expanded into southwestern Wyoming and western Kansas. According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought outlook released on June 21st, drought conditions were expected to improve only in eastern North Dakota and the far northwest corner of South Dakota. Current areas of drought in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming were expected to persist, while drought was expected to develop in eastern Nebraska and southern South Dakota.