January 1, 2009 - May 31, 2009 High Plains Precipitation Update

The 3.89 inches of precipitation in Lincoln during January 1 - May 31, 2009 is the 3rd lowest total for that time period during the past 123 years (1887-2009).  The following is a summary of how the rest of the High Plains Region is faring with precipitation so far this year. 

May 2009 marked the 7th month in a row with below normal precipitation in Eastern Nebraska. It is too early to tell if this is merely a dry spell or a return to drought conditions in the area. As shown on the following map, a large area stretching from the Texas Panhandle up to southwestern Minnesota has experienced well below normal precipitation since the first of the year (red colors).  The second map illustrates that a large area of the western U.S. has experienced below normal precipitation since January 1 (brown and red colors).  Only small areas of the lower 48 states have seen well above normal precipitation (blue and purple colors on the maps).

Some January 1 -May 31, 2009 Precipitation (in inches) Updates: