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May 2019 Climate Summary Now Available
Author: Crystal Stiles - High Plains Regional Climate Center
Published: 2019-06-07 21:25:23
Updated:
Flooding, Delayed Crop Progress Continue after Cool, Wet May
May 2019 was one for the record books, with extremely wet conditions causing more flooding issues and negatively impacting the growing season. Both Kansas and Nebraska had their wettest May on record, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). These wet conditions have been ongoing for the past 12 months as South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas each had their record wettest June to May period.
Active weather in May brought heavy precipitation to these areas, further exacerbating flooding and compounding impacts. Dozens of river gauges experienced record crests from unprecedented snowmelt and spring precipitation, and many roads continued to be closed. The flooding has also done extensive damage to farmland, as fields were either still under water or contained large amounts of silt, sand, and/or debris deposits. However, the wetness has kept drought from being an issue in the region, and conditions have vastly improved in drought-stricken areas. In fact, for the first time since the inception of the U.S. Drought Monitor in 2000, no areas in the state of Colorado were experiencing drought or abnormal dryness by the end of May.
In addition to flooding, the cool and wet conditions this spring delayed planting and crop progress. As of the end of May, it was the slowest corn planting season on record for the U.S., with only 58 percent of the crop planted as of May 26th. Meanwhile, it was the 2nd slowest soybean planting season, with only 29 percent of the crop planted (records for both corn and soybeans go back to 1995). Not surprisingly, crop emergence was also far behind the five-year average for corn and soybeans. Unfortunately, the situation was similar for other row crops as well. Prevent plant was on the minds of many producers in the eastern High Plains, as crop insurance final planting dates for corn have already passed and are fast approaching for soybeans.
For more information on temperature, precipitation, and impacts from climate in May in the High Plains region, please see the link to the full PDF of the summary: https://hprcc.unl.edu/climatesummaries.php
