Watching Hurricane Erin; Heavy Rainfall Threat for Upper Midwest; Heatrisk for Mississippi Valley

Hurricane Erin continues to track westward with its outer bands bringing heavy rainfall and gusty winds for Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are occurring and will spread across the Atlantic coasts this week. Meanwhile, heavy rainfall and possible flooding are in the forecast for upper Midwest through Monday. Heatrisk continues for the Mississippi Valley. 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.