August continued the dry trend in much of Nebraska, including Lincoln.
The Capital City officially received only 1.27 inches of rain for the month, which is more than 2.2 inches below normal. While not anywhere near record territory, it was the least amount of rainfall for the month since 2013.
For the months of June, July and August, Lincoln received 10.15 inches of rain, which was a little more than half an inch below normal for the period. For the year, Lincoln's total of 19.21 inches is 2.35 inches below normal.
But as dry as Lincoln has been this year, it's faring much better than many other areas of the state.
Omaha and Norfolk, in areas that are seeing severe drought, both saw their fourth-driest summers on record, according to the National Weather Service. Omaha had 4.63 inches of rain combined for June, July and August, which was more than 7 inches below average for the period. Norfolk saw 5.11 inches for the three months, more than 5½ inches below normal.
Hastings had its second-driest August on record, with only 0.39 inches of rain, while Kearney and Grand Island both had their third-driest Augusts. Hastings also had its fifth-driest summer ever, and Kearney had its seventh-driest.
Of the state's eight climate districts, one of them, South Central, had its driest August in history. Three other districts had Augusts that were among the 10 driest on record.
As of Thursday, 40% of Nebraska was in moderate drought, and 16% was in severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor that's produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. At the beginning of June, there was no drought anywhere in the state.
Lincoln picked up 0.06 inches of rain Tuesday morning, but the forecast is not promising for more anytime soon. According to the Weather Service, there is a better-than-average chance of below-normal precipitation for the entire state of Nebraska during the first two weeks of September.
The good news is the dry conditions won't be accompanied by high temperatures.
Lincoln is forecast to see a mini-heat wave starting Wednesday, with highs forecast to be in the mid-80s to around 90 through Sunday. Starting on Labor Day, however, highs are supposed to be in the 60s and 70s for several days, with lows potentially dropping into the 40s.
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Gordon Hansen, 7, plays on a swing as his sister Ellie Hansen, 9, practically flies in the air, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, at Branched Oak Lake.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Students at Wysong Elementary keep their distance from each other as they line up to move through the school on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Along with a variety of sushi (top right), sushi roll options include (counter clockwise from top left) the Hawaiian, Lincoln, Gorilla, Salmon Lover, American Dream and Kasumi at Kasumi Sushi, 151 North 8th Street.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
University of Nebraska Board of Regents Chair James Pillen places the presidential medallion on University of Nebraska President Ted Carter during investiture at the Lied Center on Friday, Aug. 14, 2020.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Hausmann Construction workers place the final beam in the frame for the Link, north of Scott Engineering Center, on the University of Nebraska - Lincoln City Campus on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Trinity Gilbert holds Puddles, a female Pekin duck, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Holly Decker, who was severely injured by a horse in April, poses for a photo with her new horse Boone, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Caleb Petersen (right) uses buckets to drum alongside other protesters during a protest outside of County-City Building while the city council meets inside on Monday, August 03, 2020.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Connie Belt, who ended up being the only competitor in the wheelchair division, finished with a final time of around 12 minutes, during the Lincoln Mile road race on Sunday, August 09, 2020.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Leah Mach serves the ball over the net during the first day of Fall practice for Lincoln Pius X volleyball on Monday, August 10, 2020.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
A supporters uses their phone to take a photo of Governor Pete Ricketts (left) during a ceremony to sign LB 814 at the steps of the Nebraska State Capitol on Saturday, August 15, 2020.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Logun Meyer (left) and Jenson Koll race around the corner of the Star City BMX track during the 13 intermediate race at the BMX Cornhusker Nationals event on Sunday, August 23, 2020.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Jean Krejci (left) combs the hair of her husband John Krejci, in their kitchen while he reads a book on Monday, August 24, 2020.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Ernie Chambers, Megan Hunt
Sen. Megan Hunt (left) speaks with Sen. Ernie Chambers during floor debate on Aug. 13 at the state Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Lincoln Public Schools teacher Ellen James (center) as Grim Reaper holds a sign in front of Nebraska State Capitol, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020. Protesters were calling for more safety protocols before reopening schools.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
North Star's Rojelio Puentes runs a drill during a team practice, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Police officers block off traffic on O Street and N 35th Street as police agencies respond to a shooting, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Police officers are seen outside a house where they apprehended a suspect on the 300 block of N 34th Street, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Guns are drawn as police officers secure O Street and N 34th Street as they respond to a shooting, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Lincoln North Star's Jake Seip (50) leads the Gators onto to the field to take on Hastings on Friday, August 21, 2020, at Seacrest Field.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Lincoln North Star's Kade Seip (right) and Dallas Wright stand for the National Anthem with their masks on their faces on Friday, August 21, 2020, at Seacrest Field.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Scouting out their next week opponents, (from left to right) Lincoln High's Eli Hergott, Owen Thompson, Isaac Montgomery, Dashaun Robinson and Cooper Munoz watch from outside the northwest fence as Lincoln North Star takes on Hastings in the second quarter on Friday, August 21, 2020, at Seacrest Field.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Bellevue West's Keagan Johnson poses for a photo, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at Bellevue West High School.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Seward outfielder Jordyn Collins (1) dives to catch the ball hit by Waverly's Camryn Craddock in the third inning on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at Waverly High School.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Sporting Omaha goalkeeper Colin Nehe practices saves during warmups before a match on Thursday, August 20, 2020, at Abbott Sports Complex. Four Lincoln teams, with players from age 8-14, wear masks during games (and practices) as a way to keep each other and their community safe.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Isau Metes of Elmwood plays her ukulele on the rock formation on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at Stransky Park. For the past month, students in SCC’s Continuing Education’s Intro to the Ukulele class have been learning how to play the instrument via Zoom.
FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Jason Doll practices his hoops skills at Trago Park, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. There is no luck for those seeking a break from the hot summer days, as the high temperature days reaching 90 degrees or more are forecasted to stay through Friday.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Weeping Water's Ella Cave sits at the dugout with her face covering during a high school softball game against Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, at Doris Bair Softball Complex.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Photos: Staff Photos for August 2020
Weeping Water team huddles before a high school softball game against Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, at Doris Bair Softball Complex.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
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