Statewide Soil Moisture Update

Another wet and cool week for most of the state, especially in the western half of Nebraska where 1-3 inch precipitation totals were widespread. Soil Moisture Index (SMI) values are over 5.0 over much of this region as well, indicating that the top 2 feet of the soil profile in these areas is at or nearing saturation. The rain was welcome in parts of southwest Nebraska though and McCook showed a nice recovery over the past week, going from an SMI of -2.1 last week to 1.5 this week. 

Precipitation also occurred with some regularity over the past week in much of eastern Nebraska but most areas saw an inch or less. This was good news for areas that previously were past field capacity and as of now, only one eastern site (West Point) has an SMI above 5.0. 

Moderate levels of dryness persists in parts of central Nebraska, particularly around Minden where the SMI is below -3.0 and the deficit in the top 2 feet of the soil profile is over an inch. The good news for this area is an inch or more of rain looks probable in the coming week, which would mean conditions could possibly improve somewhat. Other areas of the state probably would not welcome an additional inch though, especially in places where farmers have had no luck getting into the fields in recent weeks. 

** The Soil Moisture Index (SMI) is based on the estimated field capacity and wilting point at three depths (10 cm, 25 cm, and 50 cm) at Automated Weather Data Network (AWDN) sites under grass cover. The index may not necessarily be representative of conditions of a nearby field, particularly if differences in total precipitation over the previous week have been significant. **