June 2026 Monthly Climate Summary

Main Highlights

Nebraska’s average temperature in June was 69.4°F, which was 1.1°F above the 20th-century average and tied for the 50th warmest June on record. This was the 7th consecutive June with above-average temperatures in Nebraska and the 15th consecutive month above the 20th-century average. Similar to May, the Panhandle climate division had the largest departure from average at 2.2°F. No area of the state reached near-record warmth, but in the U.S. it was the 18th warmest June on record.

Nebraska's average statewide precipitation for June 2026 was 3.66", just 0.03" below the 20th-century average and the 63rd wettest June on record. This was not spread across the state evenly; the North Central climate division recorded 4.86", well above its 3.55" average and the 23rd wettest June on record, while the Northeast climate division came in at 2.86", 1.35" below average and the 30th driest June on record.

Weather Summary

June opened dry, with over 82% of the state in drought (D1-4). The Tri-Cities area (Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney) saw significant precipitation on several days of the month, easing drought there but producing flash flooding each time. The heaviest 24-hour total in the state was 5.62" 9 miles west-northwest of Palisade on the 25th, and totals of 4" or more were common in that part of the state on several days during the month. A lightning strike would start a wildfire just 8 miles west of Fort Robinson and burn 39,696 acres. 

Severe storms were common through June, producing damaging wind and large hail across most of the state. Wind gusts of 85 mph were recorded 1 mile west of Heartwell on the 9th, and storms on the 21st dropped 3.2" hail 12 miles north of Max. Dry conditions in the northwest also fueled fire: a lightning strike started a wildfire 8 miles west of Fort Robinson that burned 39,696 acres. A heat wave closed out the month, pushing temperatures into the 90s across much of the state and reaching 100°F at Red Cloud on the 30th.

Drought Summary

Drought improved across much of central and eastern Nebraska during June. A broad 1-class improvement extended from the northern Sand Hills southeast across the state into the southeast quarter. A 3-class improvement was centered on south-central and east-central Nebraska, roughly the Grand Island–Hastings–Clay Center corridor, extending east toward Fillmore and Thayer counties.

Northeast Nebraska saw a 2-class degradation from the lack of rainfall, and smaller 1-class degradations occurred in parts of central Nebraska and the Panhandle. Coverage of extreme (D3) and exceptional (D4) drought fell sharply over the month, from 55 percent of the state at the start of June to 28 percent by the end.

Temperature and Precipitation Extremes

Temperature and Precipitation Extremes for June 2026:

Maximum High Temperature: 101°F, Scotts Bluff on the 6th 

Minimum High Temperature: 57°F, Kings Canyon on the 25th

Minimum Low Temperature: 29°F, Harrison 20 SSE on the 15th

Maximum Low Temperature: 79°F, Falls City Brenner Field on the 30th

Maximum Precipitation: 10.29", McCool Junction 0.7 S

Monthly Station Table