Following a December which the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) described as colder and wetter than average, January proved to be warmer and drier. A dry January is no surprise – the first month of the year produces the least annual precipitation historically across the region. The three hundredths (0.03 inches) recorded last month at the Kimball weather station fell short of the long-term average of 0.38 inches. January precipitation a year ago at the Kimball station was 0.15 inches. The average daily high temperature at Kimball was 40.38 degrees F last month, compared to the historical average of 40.2 degrees F.

The NOAA 6-10 day outlook is for continued generally moderate conditions across the High Plains. Temperatures should remain seasonally moderate and slowly creep upward toward February averages. Some precipitation is likely across the tri-state region by mid-week though liquid-equivalent totals will be small. Gusty winds are likely across the region as barometric pressure changes with advancing weather fronts.

According to NOAA’s annual State of the Climate report, for the contiguous U.S., the December 2009 average temperature was 30.2 degrees F, 3.2 degrees F below average. Last month’s average precipitation across the country was 2.88 inches, 0.65 inch above the 1901-2000 average.

In 2009 the contiguous U.S. averaged 53.1 degrees F, 0.3 degrees warmer than average. Precipitation averaged 31.47 inches, 2.33 inches above the long-term average.

December, 2009 temperatures averaged below normal across the nation as Arctic air flowed deep into the United States. Nebraska had its eighth coolest December, Texas, Nevada, and Wyoming their ninth, and Montana and Utah their tenth coolest.

December 2009 was the 11th wettest on record and the fourth consecutive December with above normal precipitation across the nation. It was the wettest December on record for Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Maryland. Only Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington had precipitation below the December long-term average.

A number of large winter storms affected large areas of the U.S. in December, producing an average snow cover of more than 4.1 million square kilometers, the largest December snow cover since the satellite record began in 1966.

Below are the January USDA crop and weather reports for Nebraska and Wyoming.

Nebraska

For the month of January 2010, above normal temperatures during the second and third weeks of the month brought some relief to livestock producers struggling to feed and care for livestock. Precipitation was light during January with much of the western two-thirds of the state receiving less than .25 inch. Snow depth was also limited in the western two thirds of the State, however, a foot or more was still being reported in portions of the northeast. Livestock care and marketing grain were the main activities during the month.

Average snow depth at the end of January was 3 inches statewide, less than half of the eight inches reported at the beginning of the month. However, snow depth varied widely by region. Temperatures averaged below normal the first and fourth weeks of the month and above normal during the middle. During the last week of the month, soil temperatures ranged from 26 degrees in the extreme northwest to 32 degrees in parts of the southeast and east central counties.

Wheat conditions statewide rated 0 percent very poor, 6 poor, 39 fair, 51 good, and 4 excellent, below last year. Hay and forage supplies rated 1 percent very short, 13 short, 83 adequate, and 3 excellent, were also below a year ago.

Cattle and Calves condition rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 28 fair, 66 good, and 3 excellent, below last year.

Wyoming

January in Wyoming found dry winter conditions with livestock producers preparing for calving and lambing.



For the complete article see the 02-05-2010 issue.

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