Although most of South Central Nebraska experienced a dry August-September, September marked the fourth consecutive month of below normal rainfall within a relatively-focused zone through the heart of the 24-county area. As a result, the U.S. Drought Monitor gradually expanded the coverage of D2 Severe Drought over the course of the month. As September opened, D2 drought was already assigned to much of Kearney/Adams counties, and adjacent smaller portions of Buffalo, Hall and Clay counties. On the 8th, D2 expanded slightly to also include small portions of Phelps, Franklin and Webster counties. Finally, one more small expansion of D2 on the 22nd brought northeastern Harlan County into the mix as well, making for a total of nine counties at least partially included in Severe Drought for at least some portion of the month. Outside of the worst-off D2 area, both D1 Moderate Drought and D0 Abnormally Dry also expanded across much of South Central Nebraska during September. Of all 24 local counties, only the majority of Thayer County managed to remain void of all drought categories (including D0) through the month.
Digging deeper into September rainfall, although the month was not as acutely dry as August, the majority of the area was again below-average, with most places tallying between 30-80 percent of normal. In general, the overall-driest official NWS totals focused within northern/western counties, including 0.57 at Ord airport, 0.66 eight miles south of Elwood and 0.67 at Miller. On the opposite end of the spectrum, parts of Thayer County featured the only legitimate above normal amounts in South Central Nebraska, including as much as 3.45 at Hebron. Over the longer-term four-month period from June-September, some of the driest portions of the area only received 4-6 of rain (generally 35-45 percent of normal). This included only 4.92 at Minden (2nd-driest on record), 4.97 at Kearney airport (5th-driest), 5.58 in St. Paul (4th-driest) and 5.66 at Hastings airport (outright-driest). Fortunately, hot temperatures were not a major factor contributing to drought stress for the majority of September, as most of the area observed monthly departures from near-normal to 2 degrees cooler-than-normal. However, a notable exception was the week of the 20th-26th, during which every day saw highs into at least the 80s (and even a few 90s). Although there were no widespread/major drought impacts noted within South Central Nebraska during September, pastures and dryland crops exhibited continued stress as the growing season drew to a close, and some area rivers/streams reported below normal stream flows (including the Little Blue River).

Drought in ADAMS, NEBRASKA
From 01-SEP-20 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in BUFFALO, NEBRASKA
From 01-SEP-20 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in KEARNEY, NEBRASKA
From 01-SEP-20 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HALL, NEBRASKA
From 01-SEP-20 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CLAY, NEBRASKA
From 01-SEP-20 00:00:00 to 30-SEP-20 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor