Hastings, NE

Weather Forecast Office

July 2017: Precipitation/Temperature Summary For Our 30-County Coverage Area (South Central NE/North Central KS)

Overview:

(BE SURE TO CLICK THE VARIOUS TABS BELOW FOR A VARIETY OF JULY 2017 CLIMATE INFORMATION!)

Recap of July 2017 Weather for the NWS Hastings Coverage Area:

- Rainfall/Flooding: Although not as dry overall as June, unfortunately, roughly two-thirds of the local area measured at least slightly below normal July rainfall, and some places well-below average. Of the 30 counties in the NWS Hastings coverage area, some of the overall-driest included: Nance, Sherman, Howard, Merrick, Polk, Jewell, Osborne and Mitchell. As for specific official NWS observer totals, among the driest were Natoma (0.98"), Bruning (1.10"), Beloit (1.11"), Gothenburg (1.43") and St. Paul (1.46").

On the opposite side of the spectrum, roughly one-third of the area measured at least slightly above normal July rainfall, especially within several counties along the I-80 corridor, and also southwest of the Tri Cities. Some of the overall-wettest counties included: Phelps, Kearney, Harlan, Franklin, Hall, Hamilton and York. As for site-specific totals (NWS observer unless noted), a few of the wettest included: Edison (7.41"), Wilcox (6.87", NeRAIN observer), southeast side of York (6.63", NeRAIN observer), Holdrege (5.93") and 4 miles north of Aurora (4.67").

While there were no truly major flooding events during the month, a widespread swath of 2-5" of rain targeted portions of mainly Franklin, Webster, Nuckolls and southern Kearney counties on the 17th, causing mainly minor/short-term flooding issues within those counties and also allowing the Republican River to breach minor flood stage per the automated gauge near Guide Rock.

- Temperatures: For the month as a whole, the majority of the 30-county area averaged only slightly warmer-than-normal (generally 1-2º with a few spots closer to 3º). However, the majority of the month was relatively hot area-wide, and at times very humid (especially in Nebraska counties). For most of the area, the peak of the worst July heat focused between the 15th-25th. However, each of the final 5 or 6 days of July averaged at least slightly cooler-than-normal area-wide, tempering the hotter trend and resulting in only the modestly above-average temperature departure for the month as a whole.

As for monthly extremes across the coverage area per official NWS observers, one of the hottest highs was 109° near Alton KS on the 21st. On the opposite end of the thermometer, most all areas recorded their coolest July lows right away on the morning of the 1st with widespread 50s, and as chilly as 48° at Ord airport, Greeley and Edison.

- Severe Thunderstorms/Tornadoes: Although there were a handful of severe weather events during July (most of which only affected relatively small portions of of the local area), it was overall a relatively quiet month with no "major"/widespread events and no confirmed tornadoes. One of the "primary" severe weather events of July occurred early in the month on the evening of the 2nd into the early morning hours of the 3rd, as an organized complex of severe storms tracked southward through mainly Dawson/Gosper/Furnas counties in Nebraska before turning more southeastward through portions of north central Kansas. These storms resulted in several reports of 60-75 MPH winds, including measured 72 MPH gusts near Cambridge. As for July hail, the largest reported stones of golf ball to baseball size struck the Loup City area on the evening of the 8th.

2017 Nebraska Cooperative Observer Precipitation Tables (around 45 sites)
2017 Kansas Cooperative Observer Precipitation Tables (around 18 sites)
(for the 2017 tables, data for the previous month usually gets updated by around the 15th of the current month)

2016 Nebraska Cooperative Observer Precipitation Tables (around 45 sites)
2016 Kansas Cooperative Observer Precipitation Tables (around 18 sites)

This graphic features a precipitation map for July 2017, along with a partial listing of totals from official NWS stations. (Click image to enlarge)

G. I./Hastings Details
Kearney
Ord
Smith Center, KS
Temp/Precip Departure From Normal
Drought Monitor
Local Extremes

Grand Island & Hastings Details (Including 12-Month History):

Detailed July 2017 info for Grand Island/Hastings
(Click to enlarge)


Grand Island Precipitation Summary: The green line indicates cumulative observed precipitation for July 2017.The brown line indicates "normal" July precipitation based on 30-year data from 1981-2010. (click to enlarge)	Hastings Precipitation Summary: The green line indicates cumulative observed precipitation for July 2017. The brown line indicates "normal" July precipitation based on 30-year data from 1981-2010. (click to enlarge)

Grand Island (Regional Airport ASOS) - August 2016 - July 2017

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Average High (F)

84.4

78.8

70.7

57.3

37.3

34.6

50.8

54.4

63.1

72.7

87.5

88.9

Average Low (F)

62.7

55.0

42.6

32.7

14.5

17.9

24.8

30.0

39.2

49.6

61.2

66.6

Average Temperature (F)

73.5

66.9

56.7

45.0

25.9

26.3

37.8

42.2

51.1

60.3

74.4

77.8

Departure From Normal

-0.5

+1.8

+4.5

+6.9

-0.8

+1.2

+8.7

+2.8

+0.5

-0.9

+3.1

+1.6

Precipitation (in)

0.57

2.53

0.12

1.37

0.81

1.07

0.25

0.81

2.64

5.28

2.10

3.05

Departure From Normal

-2.55

+0.30

-1.74

+0.20

+0.18

+0.54

-0.43

-0.99

+0.11

+0.87

-2.20

-0.35

Snowfall (in)

0.0

0.4

1.4

2.4

3.5

1.2

T

0.3

0.0

Departure From Normal

0.0

-0.1

-1.0

-2.7

-3.7

-4.1

-2.8

-4.2

-1.5

+0.3

0.0

Hastings (Municipal Airport ASOS) - August 2016 - July 2017

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Average High (F)

84.9

78.6

71.3

57.4

37.7

35.7

51.4

55.4

63.4

72.8

86.3

88.9

Average Low (F)

63.4

56.1

44.0

34.2

15.6

19.4

25.8

31.3

40.7

49.5

62.1

67.6

Average Temperature (F)

74.1

67.3

57.6

45.8

26.6

27.6

38.6

43.4

52.1

61.1

74.2

78.2

Departure From Normal (F)

-0.2

+1.7

+5.0

+7.1

-1.0

+1.6

+8.7

+3.5

+1.4

-0.2

+2.4

+1.1

Precipitation (in)

1.77

1.80

0.22

1.46

0.61

0.83

0.27

1.08

3.24

6.42

1.79

4.71

Departure From Normal (in)

-1.53

-0.76

-1.77

+0.17

0.00

+0.42

-0.22

-0.71

+0.68

+1.85

-2.01

+0.97

Snowfall (in)

0.0

0.1

1.0

3.7

4.3

1.2

0.2

0.6

0.0

Departure From Normal (in)

0.0

-0.2

-1.0

-2.5

-5.1

-2.3

-2.2

-4.0

-1.0

+0.6

0.0

Kearney - 12 Month Climate History:

All data here is from the official NWS observer at Kearney airport, with 24-hour observations taken around 7 a.m. ** PLEASE NOTE: This official Kearney data differs somewhat from the unofficial data recorded by the automated airport system (KEAR) **

Kearney Airport (Coop Observer) - August 2016 - July 2017

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Average High (F)

84.3

79.3

70.8

58.6

37.8

36.9

50.0

54.6

62.5

70.2

86.6

88.1

Average Low (F)

61.8

53.0

40.8

33.4

14.8

19.5

24.1

28.6

38.8

45.9

59.7

64.8

Average Temperature (F)

73.1

66.2

55.8

46.0

26.3

28.2

37.1

41.6

50.7

58.1

73.2

76.5

Departure From Normal (F)

+0.5

+2.7

+4.9

+9.0

+0.4

+3.6

+9.0

+3.9

+2.0

-1.4

+3.4

+1.8

Precipitation (in)

1.47

1.20

0.12

1.56

0.90

0.30

1.63

1.87

6.03

1.93

3.66

Departure From Normal (in)

-1.61

-0.87

-1.92

+0.54

+0.33

+0.41

-0.25

-0.16

-0.36

+1.85

-2.00

+0.38

Snowfall (in)

0.0

0.2

1.0

4.5

5.2

0.7

T

1.6

0.0

Departure From Normal (in)

0.0

-0.2

-0.7

-2.9

-2.5

+0.1

-3.9

-1.8

+1.6

0.0

Ord - 12 Month Climate History:

Winter precipitation totals often include NWS Cooperative Observer data due to the automated airport equipment under-measuring snowfall liquid equivalent.

Ord (Evelyn Sharp Field Airport ASOS) - August 2016 - July 2017

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Average High (F)

83.6

77.2

70.3

56.7

37.6

34.1

48.4

53.7

61.7

69.7

86.3

90.3

Average Low (F)

60.4

MSG

37.4

28.1

9.3

14.2

19.8

28.7

37.9

44.1

56.9

64.1

Average Temperature (F)

72.0

MSG

53.8

42.4

23.5

24.1

34.1

41.2

49.8

56.9

71.6

77.2

Departure From Normal (F)

-1.0

MSG

+4.2

+6.1

-1.4

-0.5

+6.3

+3.5

+1.0

-2.4

+2.4

+2.8

Precipitation (in)

0.44

1.70

0.09

1.26

0.41

1.15

0.79

1.83

4.25

3.10

0.59

2.53

Departure From Normal (in)

-2.72

-0.74

-1.84

+0.19

-0.18

+0.78

+0.35

+0.38

+1.66

-0.71

-3.53

-0.44

Snowfall (in)

0.0

3.0

2.7

11.9

10.4

1.9

1.0

6.0

0.0

Departure From Normal (in)

0.0

-1.1

-2.3

-4.7

+5.1

+4.4

-4.0

-1.5

+6.0

0.0

Smith Center, KS - 12 Month Climate History:

All data is from the official NWS observer, with 24-hour observations taken around 7 a.m. As a result, data may vary slightly from true "Calendar Day" totals.

Smith Center KS (NWS Coop Observer) - August 2016 - July 2017

Aug.

Sep.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Average High (F)

86.5

81.3

73.9

61.0

38.7

39.0

53.4

58.5

65.4

73.9

89.8

95.2

Average Low (F)

62.8

55.6

43.5

32.9

14.2

18.5

24.2

30.2

40.0

46.8

60.9

66.7

Average Temperature (F)

74.7

68.5

58.7

47.0

26.5

28.7

38.8

44.4

52.7

60.4

75.4

80.9

Departure From Normal (F)

-2.5

+0.3

+3.9

+6.6

-2.3

+1.0

+6.8

+2.8

+0.2

-3.3

+1.4

+1.2

Precipitation (in)

5.13

5.07

0.09

0.99

0.56

1.46

0.27

1.26

3.32

7.03

1.31

3.26

Departure From Normal (in)

+1.83

+3.03

-1.79

-0.23

-0.10

+0.97

-0.31

-0.61

+1.05

+3.11

-2.30

-0.61

Snowfall (in)

0.0

3.1

1.1

1.8

0.2

0.0

Departure From Normal (in)

0.0

-0.2

-0.4

-1.8

-0.1

-2.6

-2.3

-2.4

-0.6

0.0

Area Temperature & Precipitation Departure From Normal Maps:

These images depict July 2017 monthly temperature departure from normal & precipitation percent-of-normal for both Nebraska & Kansas. Images are courtesy of the High Plains Regional Climate Center (HPRCC). Click images to enlarge.


Departure from Normal Temperature - NE (left) & KS (right)		Percent of Normal Precipitation - NE (left) & KS (right)

Drought:

The following drought images, current as of August 1, 2017, are courtesy of the U.S. Drought Monitor

Brief summary of changes during July for the NWS Hastings coverage area:
Given that roughly two-thirds of the NWS Hastings coverage area received at least slightly below normal July rainfall (and some areas well-below normal), drought classification at month's was generally similar to slightly-worse than one month prior for the area as a whole, although some improvement was noted in those limited areas that received solidly above-normal rain.

More specifically, the worst conditions, assigned Moderate Drought (D1), expanded to include portions of the following counties: Valley, Greeley, Nance, Smith, Osborne, Jewell, Mitchell. Meanwhile, the majority of the area remained status quo in Abnormally Dry (D0) status. On the positive side of things, above-normal July rainfall resulted in the majority of the following counties being removed from all drought categories whatsoever: Gosper, Kearney, Furnas, Harlan, Franklin, Webster and York.


Drought Monitor for Nebraska (left) & Kansas (right). Valid as of August 1, 2017 (click to enlarge)

Monthly Extremes for the NWS Hastings Coverage Area:

...A FEW OF THE HOTTEST HIGH TEMPERATURES DURING JULY 2017...
(all data from NWS cooperative observers or automated airport sites)
111 degrees...Webster Dam, KS
109 degrees...4 WNW Plainville, KS
108 degrees...2 SW Alton, KS - Smith Center, KS
107 degrees...Kirwin Dam, KS
106 degrees...Glen Elder Dam, KS - Beaver City

...A FEW OF THE COOLEST LOW TEMPERATURES DURING JULY 2017...
(all data from NWS cooperative observers or automated airport sites)
48 degrees...Edison - Greeley - Ord Airport ASOS
50 degrees...Gothenburg - Beaver City - 6 NNW Oxford - Ravenna
51 degrees...Franklin
52 degrees...Lexington Airport AWOS - Red Cloud - Loup City - Webster Dam, KS

...A FEW OF THE HIGHEST MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTALS DURING JULY 2017...
(all data from NWS cooperative observers or automated airport sites unless specified)
7.41 inches...Edison
6.87 inches...Wilcox (NeRAIN Observer)
6.63 inches...York (NeRAIN Observer)
5.93 inches...Holdrege
4.67 inches...4 N Aurora

...A FEW OF THE LOWEST MONTHLY RAINFALL TOTALS DURING JULY 2017...
(all data from NWS cooperative observers or automated airport sites unless specified)
0.98 inch...Natoma
1.10 inches...Bruning
1.11 inches...Beloit, KS
1.43 inches...Gothenburg
1.46 inches...St. Paul

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