HASTINGS — August was another highly variable month for rainfall across the National Weather Service – Hastings area.
Counties south of the Nebraska-Kansas line saw the most precipitation, with drier conditions prevalent in the north.
The areas with the highest precipitation were Lebanon, Kan., with 8.38 inches, Harlan County Lake reported, 6.54 inches and Hubbell had 6.13 inches.
The lowest precipitation amounts in the whole area was recorded at Elyria, northwest of Ord, only saw 0.64 inches, Ord itself saw 0.75 inches and North Loup recorded 0.92 inches.
The Tri-Cities airports August 2023 precipitation totals are as follows:
- Grand Island – 1.44 inches, 45 percent of normal, 33rd driest on record, but wetter than 2022
- Hastings -2.23 inches, 65 percent of normal, 48th driest on record, also wetter than 2022
- Kearney – 3.17 inches, 105 percent of normal, 48th wettest on record, wettest since 2019
For reference, normal August precipitation across the NWS Hastings coverage area ranges from 3.10 to 3.60 inches.
Drought conditions in the Tri-Cities area did not budge at all in the last week of August. A pocket of exceptional drought conditions is still present in Nance, Merrick and Hamilton counties.
Most of Hall and Adams counties are under extreme drought conditions. Buffalo County is split between moderate drought in the east and moderate drought in the west.
