Drought in Eastern Cherry, Nebraska

Over far southeastern Cherry County, extreme (D3) drought conditions persisted through the end of March. Over portions of east central Cherry County, extreme (D3) drought improved to severe (D2) drought conditions by the end of the month. Over northeastern portions of the county, moderate (D1) drought conditions persisted. The cooperative observer at Valentine Lakes NWR reported 0.45 inches of precipitation in March. This was 0.59 inches below the normal of 1.04 inches. At the Valentine airport, 0.70 inches of precipitation fell in March. This was 0.31 inches below the normal of 1.01 inches.

Drought conditions improved in March over the eastern Sandhills, however, there was some expansion and degradation of drought conditions in southwestern Nebraska by the end of March. All counties with the exception of Sheridan County had severe (D2) or worse drought conditions by the end of March.