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June 2018 Climate Summary Now Available
Author: Crystal Stiles - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2018-07-09 18:07:18
Updated:
Continued Warmth
It was another warm month throughout the High Plains, as June temperatures averaged 3.0-6.0 degrees F (1.7-3.3 degrees C) above normal for much of the region. Similar to May, numerous top 10 records for warmest June were broken. This late spring/early summer heat allowed crops to progress quickly after getting off to a late start due to a chilly April. While corn and soybeans were faring well for the most part across the region, a continuation of excessive heat could impact yields and is something to watch throughout the summer.
Precipitation varied throughout the region during June, with record-breaking rainfall across portions of Nebraska and South Dakota, and dry conditions across much of Colorado and eastern Kansas. Severe weather was abundant during June, including the uncommon occurrences of strong tornadoes in Wyoming and dust storms in South Dakota. Meanwhile, wildfires raged across southern Colorado where drought has been present. Fires threatened public safety and natural resources at San Juan National Forest, prompting the U.S. Forest Service to close it down in mid-June. At the time of this writing, the Spring Creek fire had burned more than 103,000 acres and was the third largest wildfire in Colorado’s history, according to The Denver Post.
June 30th was the official end of the 2017-18 snow season, which brought both above-normal and below-normal snowfall to the region. Snowfall was plentiful in the Northern Plains, particularly in South Dakota and Nebraska. The following locations ranked in the top 10 for snowiest season: North Platte, NE (5th snowiest), Sioux Falls, SD (5th snowiest), Pierre, SD (10th snowiest), and Rapid City, SD (10th snowiest). Snowfall was scarce throughout Colorado and parts of Kansas, however. Locations ranking in the top 10 for least snowiest season included: Alamosa, CO (least snowiest), Dodge City, KS (3rd least snowiest), Pueblo, CO (4th least snowiest), Denver, CO (5th least snowiest), and Grand Junction, CO (tied for 5th least snowiest).
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: https://hprcc.unl.edu/climatesummaries.php
