According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, February marked the ninth consecutive month of severe (or worse) drought across this six-county portion of North Central Kansas, continuing one of the worst droughts since the 1950s. However, some slight improvements were noted during the month thanks to above normal precipitation across nearly the entire area. Based on Drought Monitor weekly issuances, all or most of Phillips, Rooks, Smith and Osborne counties started the month in category D4 exceptional drought (the worst possible category), but improved to category D3 extreme drought by month's end. Farther east, most of Jewell and Mitchell counties stayed in category D2 severe drought throughout the month. Based on reports from around 20 NWS cooperative observers, and also incorporating radar-derived estimation, almost all of North Central Kansas observed above normal February precipitation (based on normals generally between 0.50-0.75). Of greater significance, limited areas tallied at least twice-normal February precipitation. For most places, the majority of monthly precipitation fell during a major winter storm that began during the daytime hours on the 20th and peaked in intensity that night and into the day of the 21st. This storm, which gave some places one of their highest storm-total snowfalls on record, dumped anywhere from 8-18 of snow across the six-county area, with the highest amounts concentrated over Phillips, Rooks and Osborne counties. Per NWS cooperative observers, a few of the highest February precipitation totals featured 2.26 at Natoma, 1.68 at Phillipsburg and 1.39 at Logan and Webster Dam. Leading the drier side of things were sites such as Beloit (0.55) and Burr Oak (0.62).
Although severe to extreme drought conditions remained firmly entrenched across the six-county area, prevailing above normal precipitation during the meteorological winter season of December-February at least put a dent in the dryness heading into the spring. However, keeping optimism in check, precipitation during the meteorological winter season of December-February normally accounts for less than 10 percent of total annual precipitation, thus minimizing the effect of even major snow storms on drought relief. The February USDA Kansas Crop Progress and Condition report indicated a slight improvement in state-averaged winter wheat conditions, although the crop still rated 36 percent poor to very poor and only 23% good to excellent. Topsoil moisture also improved slightly during the month, but still averaged 61% short to very short. Statewide range and pasture conditions remained over 80% poor to very poor, and hay and forage along with stock water supplies continued to hover between 70-80% short to very short.

Drought in JEWELL, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MITCHELL, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in OSBORNE, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in PHILLIPS, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in ROOKS, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SMITH, KANSAS
From 01-FEB-13 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-13 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor