Drought in Lincoln, Nebraska

Moderate (D1) drought conditions deteriorated to severe (D2) drought over most of Lincoln County by the end of March. Over far southern portions of the county severe (D2) drought conditions transitioned to extreme (D3) drought conditions by the end of the month. The cooperative observer at Hershey 5 SSE reported 0.31 inches of precipitation in March. This was 0.54 inches below the normal of 0.85 inches. The cooperative observer at Wallace 2W reported 0.12 inches of precipitation for March. This was 0.76 inches below the normal of 0.88 inches. At the North Platte Regional Airport, 0.22 inches of precipitation was reported in March. This was 0.78 inches below the normal of 1.00 inches. The cooperative observer at Brady reported 0.03 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.