According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, February marked the eighth consecutive month of severe (or worse) drought across South Central Nebraska. This continued one of the worst droughts since the 1950s, despite above normal February precipitation across most of the 24-county area. Based on Drought Monitor weekly issuances, there was hardly any change in drought classification during the month. Category D4 exceptional drought (the worst possible category) remained firmly in place across all or part of 14 counties, primarily those north of Interstate 80 and also west of Highway 183. Meanwhile, category D3 extreme drought persisted across most of the other 10 counties, with only a small sliver of category D2 severe drought depicted at month's end across far southern portions of Webster, Nuckolls and Thayer counties. Based on reports from around 50 NWS cooperative observers, and also incorporating radar-derived estimation, roughly 90 percent of the area observed above normal February precipitation (based on normals generally between 0.50-0.75). Of greater significance, roughly 20 percent of the area measured at least twice-normal February precipitation. The limited areas that observed slightly below normal precipitation during the month were mainly concentrated in far eastern counties near Highway 81. For most places, the majority of 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 dumped at least 6-10 of snow across most of the area, and higher amounts of 10-14 roughly southwest of a line from Gothenburg-Nelson. Per NWS cooperative observers, a few of the highest February precipitation totals included 1.59 at Ord, 1.46 at Cambridge and 1.45 at Holdrege and also eight miles south of Elwood. Leading the drier side of things were sites such as three miles west of Gresham (0.30), three miles northeast of Shelby (0.31) and Geneva (0.44).
Although severe to exceptional drought conditions remained firmly entrenched across the 30-county area, prevailing above normal precipitation during the meteorological winter season of December-February at least put a small 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. The February USDA Nebraska Weather and Crops report indicated little change since January, with 50% of the state-averaged wheat crop still in poor to very poor condition, and only 12% in good condition. Hay and forage supplies across the state rated 49% short to very short, well-below values from one year ago.

Drought in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
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 BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
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 CLAY, NEBRASKA
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 DAWSON, NEBRASKA
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 FILLMORE, NEBRASKA
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 FRANKLIN, NEBRASKA
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 FURNAS, NEBRASKA
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 GOSPER, NEBRASKA
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 GREELEY, NEBRASKA
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 HALL, NEBRASKA
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 HAMILTON, NEBRASKA
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 HARLAN, NEBRASKA
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 HOWARD, NEBRASKA
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 KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
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 MERRICK, NEBRASKA
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 NANCE, NEBRASKA
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 NUCKOLLS, NEBRASKA
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 PHELPS, NEBRASKA
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 POLK, NEBRASKA
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 SHERMAN, NEBRASKA
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 THAYER, NEBRASKA
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 VALLEY, NEBRASKA
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 WEBSTER, NEBRASKA
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 YORK, NEBRASKA
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