HASTINGS — The Tri-Cities just experienced the third warmest February on record, while precipitation mainly favored areas south and southwest of the cities.
It was the warmest February in 70 years, since 1954, for Hastings, Grand Island and Kearney, the average temperature for the three communities was, respectively, 39.9 degrees, 40.0 degrees and 39.2 degrees, according to the National Weather Service – Hastings.
There was a notable lack of snow, Hastings only saw 0.1 inches, the 12th least snowy February since 1991. Grand Island recorded just 0.3 inches, the least snowy since 1996 and Kearney only recorded a trace of snowfall, also the least snow since 1991.
There may have been little snowfall, but the NWS Hastings coverage area did see precipitation amounts of 0.60 to 1.40 inches. Areas to the south-southwest were the wettest while north-northeast was the driest.
North central Kansas communities saw the highest precipitation amounts, with Damar, Kan., recording 2.58 inches. The Nebraska communities with the highest amounts included Hildreth, 1.82 inches and Lexington, 1.67 inches.
The driest locations included Shelby, 0.20 inches, Genoa, 0.30 inches, Ord, 0.47 inches and Osceola, 0.52 inches.
The Tri-Cities Airports recorded the following:
- Grand Island – 0.86 inches, 116 percent of normal, 44th wettest February on record
- Hastings – 0.72 inches, 96 percent of normal, 63rd driest February on record
- Kearney – 0.80 inches, 135 percent of normal, 38th wettest February on record
Normal February precipitation across the NWS Hastings coverage area usually ranges from 0.65 to 0.85 inches, generally lower in the west and higher in the east.
Drought conditions remain unchanged this week, there is a large area of severe drought, D2, conditions that encompasses Hall and Adams counties, west to Lancaster County.
NWS Hastings noted in their second spring flood outlook that the threat is below normal to near normal.
