Struggling pasture in central Nebraska, Photo Courtesy of Gannon Rush Regional Breakdown April marked the return of severe weather, with several prominent storms striking parts of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Drought has also taken its toll, with agriculture struggling in the region. To top it all off, nearly three feet (91.44 cm) of snow fell…

Platte River near Duncan, Nebraska, Photo Courtesy of USGS Regional Breakdown Typical of the plains in the spring, March featured all the seasons in a month. Record warmth, dust storms, blizzards, and severe weather all occurred around the region. Precipitation was limited for some areas, which led to drought conditions intensifying. An intense low-pressure system…

Heavy snowfall in Kansas, Photo Courtesy of Gannon Rush Regional Breakdown After a relatively mild winter for many in the High Plains, February brought bone-chilling cold and snow across the majority of the region. On the opposite end of the spectrum, parts of Colorado and Wyoming had a record to near-record warmth this month. Similar…

Kansas Winter Wheat, Photo Courtesy of Gannon Rush Regional Breakdown An impressive run of warmer temperatures stretching back to September ended this month, with much of the High Plains well below their normal temperatures. Outside of a few isolated snowstorms, snowfall has been at a minimum for many. Drought remains an issue, with the lack…

Sunrise in Western Kansas, Photo Courtesy of Gannon Rush Regional Breakdown The steady intensification of drought conditions across the High Plains was halted in November, with large portions of the region observing over 200 percent of their normal precipitation. However, Parts of Wyoming and the Dakotas were not as fortunate, missing out on the much-needed…

Storm over Lincoln, Nebraska, Photo Courtesy of Gannon Rush Regional Breakdown September was a significant step in the wrong direction for the High Plains. Record-breaking heat and dryness plagued the region, with drought concerns amplified heading into the fall months. Conditions also became conducive to wildfires as the month progressed, with several small fires breaking…