Drought conditions in Nebraska expected to last through the winter

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Through the first 21 days, this October is Lincoln’s fourth driest ever recorded.

Since July, the capital city has only seen 1.7 inches of precipitation. That lack of rainfall has been a trend shared across the state.

“Coming off a very wet spring and early summer it seems like feast or famine lately,” Brian Fuchs, a geoscientist with the National Drought Mitigation Center at UNL, said. “We either are very wet or very dry, and right now we’re very dry.”

According the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 83% of Nebraska is currently facing drought conditions. 48% of the state is considered in severe drought.

A U.S. seasonal outlook published by NOAA on Oct. 17 suggests that relief may not come until February of 2025. Research indicates that, despite some predicated showers in coming weeks, droughts will likely persist through the winter.

“There is a little bit of a window for some short term improvement later in the month and into early November,” Brad Pugh of the NOAA said. “But for anything meaningful, you’re really going to have to wait until next spring.”

Those with the mitigation center say that the drought could always end as quickly as it began. But it’s current trend should encourage people to be aware of their water usage.

“We’re seeing drought continue to develop and worsen,” Fuchs said. “And it looks like it will be that way for a while. So we should be prepared for that.”

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