Drought in Wheeler, Nebraska

Severe (D2) drought conditions deteriorated to extreme (D3) drought conditions by the end of April. The cooperative observer at Bartlett 1W reported 0.55 inches of precipitation for April. This was 2.39 inches below the normal of 2.94 inches.

Dry and unseasonably warm conditions continued across western and north central Nebraska in April. Precipitation totals across western and north central Nebraska were generally around a quarter inch or less across the area. Locations over the northeastern Nebraska Panhandle and far northern Nebraska fared better as totals in these areas ranged from a half of an inch to an inch for the month. North Platte had its driest April on record with a meager 0.04 inches of rainfall. A total of 5 daily record high temperatures were recorded in North Platte in April, including two 90+ degree days on the 12th and 13th of the month.