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Pacific Storm System Moves Inland; Strong Storm in Alaska

A Pacific storm system will bring low elevation/valley rain and mountain snow as it moves inland to the central Great Basin through the central Rockies through Thursday. Scattered thunderstorms are likely from California into the Great Basin. A large low pressure system continues to bring snow, blizzard conditions, damaging winds, and mixed precipitation along the Bering Sea and Southwest Alaska. Read More >

A persistent upper level high pressure ridge set up over a good portion of the Rockies and Great Plains during late June and well into July, resulting in well above average temperatures and well below normal values of precipitation.  These circumstances brought the quick onset of drought conditions across much of the central United States, and has been hard on area rivers, livestock and crops.  Below is a table of just a few pictures from around the area showing the effects of the ongoing drought.

 

Main channel of the Platte River just east of Grand Island on Highway 34. Main channel of the Platte River just east of Grand Island on Highway 34. Main channel of the Platte River just east of Grand Island on Highway 34.
North channel of the Platte River
along south Locust St. near Grand Island
South channel of the Platte River on
South Locust St. near Grand Island
Dry and cracked Platte riverbed.
Parched and cracked ground. Distressed bean field. Dried-up corn field.
Leaves on the trees are already beginning to turn yellow and drop to the ground.
Lovewell Resevoir, KS.
Photo courtesy of Kristin Reeve Washington.
Corn field near Gothenburg.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Tullinger.

 


This page was composed by the staff at the National Weather Service in
Hastings, Nebraska.