Nebraska crops are entering a critical stretch as another round of heat pushes temperatures near 100 degrees in parts of the state, while farmers look ahead to a potential window of rainfall later this week.
Nebraska Extension agricultural climatologist Dr. Eric Hunt says the state will have to get through one more day of extreme heat before cooler temperatures and increased rain chances arrive.
“It’s already pretty warm across the state,” Hunt said. “I think we should see temperatures at least in the mid to upper 90s, if not the lower 100s, statewide.”
The National Weather Service issued heat advisories across nearly all of Nebraska Monday, with the hottest conditions expected along and north of the Highway 30 corridor. Hunt says some locations between North Platte and Broken Bow could approach 105 degrees.
The change comes Wednesday, when Hunt says a developing storm system could bring more meaningful rainfall opportunities across portions of Nebraska.
“By early Wednesday morning, I think we should see a complex of thunderstorms possibly developing across the Dakotas, pushing into western Nebraska, maybe sliding east southeast throughout the day into central and eastern sections of the state,” Hunt said.
Hunt expects some areas could receive two to three inches of rain, with isolated higher totals possible. However, rainfall distribution will be critical, as some areas remain much drier than others.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows 89% of Nebraska is experiencing some level of drought, with nearly 61% of the state classified in moderate drought or worse. About 24% of Nebraska remains in extreme or exceptional drought categories.
“Actually the last six weeks we’ve seen a lot more improvement on that map than we’ve seen degradation,” Hunt said. “The exception to that rule, though, is we’ve definitely seen some degradation across portions of east central and parts of southeast Nebraska.”
He says northeastern Nebraska could see additional deterioration on the next drought map if rainfall misses the area.
Crop conditions have remained relatively steady despite recent heat. The USDA says 63% of Nebraska’s corn crop is rated good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week. Corn silking reached 26%, slightly behind the five-year average of 28%.
Soybeans are progressing slightly ahead of normal, with 65% of Nebraska soybeans blooming and 11% setting pods. The soybean crop is rated 65% good to excellent.
Pasture and range conditions continue to show stress, however. USDA reports 62% of Nebraska pasture and rangeland is rated poor to very poor, with 21% of topsoil moisture rated very short and another 37% rated short.
Winter wheat harvest is also moving along, with 42% of Nebraska’s crop harvested, ahead of the five-year average of 36%.
Hunt says the upcoming rainfall window could determine whether drought conditions stabilize or worsen heading into late July.
“If you don’t get it, you’re probably going to see things kind of continue to go the wrong direction,” Hunt said.
Key takeaways:
- Heat peaks Monday: Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 90s to low 100s across much of Nebraska, with some areas potentially approaching 105 degrees.
- Rain chances increase midweek: A storm system could bring rainfall opportunities Wednesday through Friday, with some areas possibly receiving 2 to 3 inches of rain.
- Rainfall will be uneven: The best chances for higher totals appear to be from Broken Bow through Grand Island, York, Lincoln and Beatrice, while parts of northern, western and southwestern Nebraska may see less.
- Drought remains a concern: About 89% of Nebraska is currently experiencing some level of drought, with nearly 61% of the state in moderate drought or worse.
- Some areas are improving: Recent rainfall has helped parts of western Nebraska and other areas improve on the drought monitor.
- East central and southeast Nebraska face growing pressure: Those areas have seen drought conditions worsen recently, and additional deterioration is possible if rainfall misses.
- Corn development is near normal: Nebraska corn silking reached 26%, compared to the five-year average of 28%. The crop is rated 63% good to excellent.
- Soybeans are slightly ahead of average: About 65% of Nebraska soybeans are blooming, with 11% setting pods. The crop is rated 65% good to excellent.
- Pastures remain stressed: More than 60% of Nebraska pasture and rangeland is rated poor to very poor, with 58% of topsoil moisture rated short or very short.
- Another dry stretch could return: Eric Hunt says warmer and drier conditions may return next week, making this week’s rainfall chances especially important.
