Above average April precipitation for the first time since 2017
Statewide precipitation averaged 3.01" in April 2024, 0.75" above the 20th century average. It was the wettest April in the state since 2016 and the first above average for precipitation since 2017. Only the Southeast climate division had below average precipitation in the month. The Northeast climate division was wettest relative to normal, with an average of 4.47", which is 1.95" above average. The robust precipitation led to drought relief in central and northeastern sections of Nebraska. Some of the precipitation was accompanied by severe weather later in the month, including multiple EF-3 tornadoes on April 26th. Early in the month blizzard conditions were experienced in parts of the Panhandle, with a foot of snow around Harrison.
Temperatures above average but not close to record levels
Statewide temperatures averaged 50.1F, 2.4F above the 20th century average but a long way from the record of 55.7F set in 1981. All climate divisions were above average in April. The middle of the month brought well-above average temperatures with some sites in southern Nebraska getting over 90F for the first time in 2024. This was followed by a cool snap the next week with a few sites in the western Panhandle remaining below freezing for the entire day on the 20th.
Extremes and Tabular Summaries
Attached are .pdf's containing Nebraska Mesonet station summaries, temperature/HDD/CDD, and precipitation summaries for stations around the state. Includes CoCoRaHS observer reports in the precipitation summary. Below are the temperature and precipitation extremes around the state in April.
Maximum Daily High Temperature: 93F, Superior
Minimum Daily High Temperature: 28F, Bushnell 15S
Minimum Daily Low Temperature: 11F, Harrisburg 12WNW
Maximum Daily Low Temperature: 59F, Tecumseh
Max Monthly Precipitation: 7.88", Wakefield 3NW
Max Monthly Snowfall: 12.0", Harrison 0.2NE
Eric Hunt, University of Nebraska Extension
