Drought in Custer, Nebraska

Moderate (D1) drought conditions, deteriorated to severe (D2) drought across most of Custer County by the end of March. Over far eastern portions of the county, moderate (D1) drought conditions, deteriorated to extreme (D3) drought conditions by the end of the month. At the Broken Bow Airport, 0.05 inches of precipitation was reported in March. This was 1.11 inches below the normal of 1.16 inches. The cooperative observer at Broken Bow 2W reported 0.06 inches of precipitation for March. This was 1.23 inches below the normal of 1.29 inches. The cooperative observer at Callaway 8WSW reported 0.10 inches of precipitation for March.

Record warmth, coupled with little to no rainfall in March, led to rapid expansion of drought conditions across all of western and north central Nebraska. By the end of the month, areas of moderate (D1) drought conditions expanded to severe (D2) and extreme (D3) drought conditions by the end of March. North Platte saw its 3rd warmest, and Valentine had its warmest March on record. Valentine had its 9th driest and North Platte 19th driest March on record.