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September Precipitation Rankings
Author: Joseph Brum - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2012-10-03 20:10:56
Updated: 2012-11-05 15:24:45
Many areas continued to lack precipitation during the month of September in the High Plains Region. Much of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska were 1.0-2.0 inches (25-51 mm) below normal. The eastern portions of the three states fared even worse, with precipitation totals ranging 2.0-3.0 inches (51-76 mm) below normal. Fargo, ND had its driest September on record only receiving 0.12 inches (3 mm) of precipitation. Aberdeen, SD also had its driest September on record, with a minuscule total of 0.01 inches (2.5 mm). The central portion of Colorado did receive some much needed rain in September. Some areas in Colorado had precipitation totals 1.0-2.0 inches (25-51 mm) above normal. Denver, CO received 2.95 inches (75 mm) for the month, making it the 5th wettest September on record. A small area in eastern Kansas received above normal precipitation for the month, with much of that coming when the remnants of Hurricane Isaac passed through at the beginning of the month.
Check out the table below to see rankings from your area and across the High Plains Region. (Records refer to either smallest amount or largest amount of precipitation depending on the ranking)
Location | September Total Precipitation(in) / Rank | Record or Previous Record (in) / Year | Period of Record |
| Alamosa, CO | 1.10 / 28th wettest | 2.62 / 1938 | 1906-2012 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 1.42 / 37th wettest | 5.91 / 2011 | 1894-2012 |
| Denver, CO | 2.95 /5th wettest | 4.67 / 1961 | 1872-2012 |
| Grand Junction, CO | 0.46 / 40th driest | 0.00 / 1953* | 1893-2012 |
| Pueblo, CO | 0.73 / 51st wettest | 3.93 / 1909 | 1888-2012 |
| Concordia, KS | 1.08 / 23rd driest | 0.08 / 1956 | 1885-2012 |
| Dodge City, KS | 0.91 / 49th driest | 0.01 / 1998* | 1874-2012 |
| Goodland, KS | 0.45 / 26th driest | 0.01 / 1992* | 1895-2012 |
| Salina, KS | 2.06 / 33rd wettest | 12.05 / 1967 | 1948-2012 |
| Topeka, KS | 0.58 / 6th driest | 0.19 / 1908 | 1887-2012 |
| Wichita, KS | 2.64 / 62nd wettest | 12.96 /2008 | 1888-2012 |
| Grand Island, NE | 0.47 / 7th driest | 0.01 / 1998 | 1895-2012 |
| Lincoln, NE | 1.73 / 41st driest | 0.00 / 1894 | 1887-2012 |
| Norfolk, NE | 0.61 / 9th driest | 0.26 / 1940 | 1893-2012 |
| North Platte, NE | 0.10 / 4th driest | 0.00 / 1953 | 1874-2012 |
| Omaha, NE | 1.59 / 35th driest | 0.24 / 1888 | 1871-2012 |
| Scottsbluff, NE | 0.79 / 50th driest | 0.00 / 1953 | 1893-2012 |
| Valentine, NE | 0.22 / 9th driest | 0.07 / 1953 | 1889-2012 |
| Bismarck, ND | 0.05 / 3rd driest | 0.02 / 1948 | 1874-2012 |
| Fargo, ND | 0.12 / driest | 0.13 / 1974 | 1881-2012 |
| Grand Forks, ND | 0.20 / 3rd driest | 0.10 / 1897 | 1893-2012 |
| Williston, ND | 0.08 / 5th driest | 0.01 / 1899 | 1894-2012 |
| Aberdeen, SD | 0.01 / driest | 0.05 / 1979 | 1893-2012 |
| Huron, SD | 0.60 / 27th driest | 0.00 / 1998 | 1881-2012 |
| Rapid City, SD | 0.14 / 4th driest | 0.03 / 1975* | 1942-2012 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 1.14 / 21st driest | 0.20 / 2011 | 1893-2012 |
| Casper, WY | 0.31 / 19th driest | 0.07 / 1956 | 1939-2012 |
| Cheyenne, WY | 1.30 / 52nd driest | 4.52 / 1973 | 1872-2012 |
| Lander, WY | 0.35 / 30th driest | 0.00 / 1932* | 1891-2012 |
| Sheridan, WY | 0.00 / driest* | 0.04 / 1938 | 1907-2012 |
*indicates multiple years, latest year listed