Current Projects

• Nebraska Soil Moisture
• Wind Energy
• Evapotranspiration

October 2008 Climate Summary

Temperatures were cooler than normal across the region for much of October 2008. Highlighted locations include Manhattan Municipal Airport, Kansas and Hutchinson, KS. Manhattan Municipal Airport recorded their 3rd lowest average monthly temperature for October with 55.4°F. Hutchinson, Kansas recorded its 4th lowest average monthly temperature for October at 56.7°F and also its 3rd wettest October with 4.32” of precipitation. A large swath of Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota reported precipitation totals which were over 200% of normal precipitation with portions of Kansas and Nebraska exceeding 400% of normal. Many daily and monthly precipitation records were broken and this excessive precipitation also prompted flood warnings in many counties.
Interestingly, this wet and cool month ended dry and warm across the high plains region which allowed fall harvesting to increase in intensity. This is a notable difference from earlier weeks where widespread precipitation and late maturing crops slowed harvest progress. ...More

Source/Author: Natalie Umphlett - High Plains Regional Climate Center 11/10/08

New Upcoming Events Page

Check out our new Upcoming Events page to learn about interesting events in your area! ...More

Source/Author: Natalie Umphlett - High Plains Regional Climate Center 10/23/08

NOAA: Ninth Warmest September for Global Temperatures

The combined global land and ocean surface average temperature for September 2008 tied with September 2001 as the ninth warmest since records began in 1880, according to an analysis by NOAA's National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. ...More

Source/Author: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 10/15/08

Lake McConaughy Water Level Continues to Improve

The amount of water stored in Lake McConaughy dropped to a record low elevation of 3198.0 feet (ASL) in 2004 and again in 2006.  Since that time, there continues to be a slight improvement each year in the amount of water stored in the reservoir.
...More

Source/Author: Ken Dewey - Applied Climate Sciences, School of Natural Resources, UNL 10/14/08

New Service Climatologist

New Staff Member Joins HPRCC

The High Plains Regional Climate Center would like to introduce its newest staff member, Natalie Umphlett, our new service climatologist.  Natalie, a native of Georgia comes to us fresh off completing her M.S. in Meteorology at the University of Nebraska.   As our service climatologist, Natalie can help you get access to data, help with your HPRCC accounts or answer general questions about climate data.  She will also be helping with some HPRCC outreach to the community.  Welcome to Natalie.  We are happy to have her as part of the HPRCC staff.  You can reach her at 402 472-6764.

Source/Author: Dennis Todey - High Plains Regional Climate Center 10/08/08

September 2008 Climate Summary

Overall, September was cool for most of the region with monthly average temperature departures from normal ranging from 2-4°F below normal.  However, the entire month was not cool as most places experienced a cool spell at the beginning of the month, followed by warming through the end of the month.
Each state had precipitation amounts that were well above and well below normal.  North Dakota was a state divided with ample precipitation in the eastern half which helped to alleviate drought conditions and below normal precipitation in the western half where drought conditions persist.  Kansas had a similar situation with little to no precipitation along the Kansas-Colorado border and precipitation totals over 300% of normal in south central portions of the state.  Relief should be on the way however.  According to the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released September 18, these areas should show improvement over the next few months. ...More

Source/Author: Natalie Umphlett - High Plains Regional Climate Center 10/07/08

August 2008 Climate Summary

Much of the region experienced the hottest days at the beginning of the month with many stations setting records and reporting temperatures above 100°F (37.8°C). North Dakota and South Dakota, however, had their warmest days at the end of the month.
Generally, much of the region had average temperatures within 2°F (1.1°C) of their August normals. Widespread areas of below normal temperatures in Nebraska and Kansas occurred this August. The coolest areas were in northern and central Kansas where temperatures ranged from 3-5°F (1.7-2.8°C) below normal. Pockets of warmer than normal temperatures occurred in southwestern Colorado, northwestern Wyoming, western South Dakota, and western North Dakota. ...More

Source/Author: Natalie Umphlett - High Plains Regional Climate Center 09/05/08

July 2008 Climate Summary

Temperatures through the region returned more towards normal versus the below normal spring and early summer the entire region experienced. Most areas had average temperatures within 2 °F (1.1 °C) of their July normals. The exceptions within the region occurred in Northeastern Colorado, Southwestern Wyoming, and the Panhandle of Nebraska where average temperatures ranged 3-5 °F (1.7-2.8 °C) above normal through the month. Areas of well below normal average temperatures occurred in Eastern North Dakota and small portions of Northeastern Kansas where average temperatures ranged 2-3 °F (1.1-1.7 °C) below normal.
...More

Source/Author: Allan Curtis - High Plains Regional Climate Center 08/06/08