Drought in Garfield, Nebraska

Severe (D2) drought conditions over most of Garfield County, improved to moderate (D1) drought conditions by the end of August. The cooperative observer at Ericson 8WNW reported 2.71 inches of precipitation in August. This was 0.51 inches below the normal of 3.22 inches. The cooperative observer at Burwell reported 0.41 inches of precipitation in August. This was 2.88 inches below the normal of 3.29 inches.

Near normal to above normal precipitation fell across western and north central Nebraska in August. This led to improving drought conditions across the area. Rainfall totals were generally in the 2 to 4 inch range for the month with some pockets of 1 to 2 inches noted in Custer, Chase, Perkins and portions of Holt county. Burwell was the driest station with 0.41 inches of precipitation for August. With the exception of a small area from northeastern McPherson county to southern Brown County, a one category improvement in drought conditions occurred during August across most of western and north central Nebraska.