Drought in Eastern Cherry, Nebraska

Over far southeastern Cherry County, extreme (D3) drought conditions improved to severe (D2) drought by the end of May. Over portions of east central Cherry County, severe (D2) drought conditions improved to moderate (D1) drought by the end of the month. Over northeastern portions of the county, moderate (D1) drought conditions improved to abnormally dry (D0) conditions by the end of May. The cooperative observer at Valentine Lakes NWR reported 4.49 inches of precipitation in May. This was 0.68 inches above the normal of 3.81 inches. At the Valentine airport, 3.67 inches of precipitation fell in May. This was 0.15 inches above the normal of 3.52 inches.

Much wetter than normal conditions brought needed drought relief to all of western and north central Nebraska in May. Drought conditions improved the most in southwestern Nebraska where record to near record precipitation fell in May. Some locations in southwestern Nebraska saw a 2 to 3 category improvement in drought conditions in May. Elsewhere, drought conditions improved at least a one category by the end of May.