Temperature

Temperatures were above normal for the majority of the region. The highest temperatures were in central and northern Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, northwestern Colorado, and northwestern Wyoming reaching 8°F to 10°F above normal, with some spots in Nebraska reaching temperatures greater than 10°F above normal. The lowest temperatures were 2°F to 4°F below normal in eastern North Dakota.  

Temperatures in northwestern Wyoming, scattered areas across southern South Dakota, and northcentral Nebraska reached 12°F to 15°F above normal. The hottest temperature was 94°F at Grand Junction, Colorado, which is 3°F above normal for the area. The coolest temperatures were in southcentral Kansas and eastern North Dakota reaching 3°F to 6°F below normal. 

Temperatures in northeastern Colorado reached 6°F to 9°F below normal. The coldest temperature was 44°F at Casper, Wyoming, which is 2°F below normal for the area, and at Alamosa, Colorado, which is 2°F above normal for the area. The warmest temperatures were 9°F to 12°F above normal in western Colorado. 

Precipitation

Precipitation amounts varied this week, ranging from 5 percent of normal in central and southwestern Wyoming, western and southeastern Colorado, western Kansas, central and southeastern South Dakota, and northern North Dakota, to 300 percent of normal in southcentral Kansas, central and the panhandle of Nebraska, northeastern South Dakota, and southwestern North Dakota. Wichita, Kansas received 5.87 inches of precipitation; most of it fell on the 17^th.

Drought continues in the region. D0 (abnormally dry) conditions improved from 65 percent to 61 percent. In the region, many states experienced a decrease in D0 conditions with South Dakota experiencing the greatest decrease in conditions by 10 percent. 

Severe Storms

Wyoming received hail of 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Colorado and Kansas received hail of 1 to 2.75 inches in diameter. Nebraska and North Dakota received hail of 1 to 3 inches in diameter, and a tornado in North Dakota caused a power outage and resulted in 3 deaths. South Dakota received hail of 1 to 3.6 inches in diameter.