Warmer than Normal Winter for the Tri-Cities

Though technically not over, the winter of 2008-2009 looks like it will be go down as warmer than normal for Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney. For climatological purposes, the winter months are considered to be December through February. Here is a brief highlight of the how this winter shaped up climatologically in the Tri-Cities.

  • Temperatures: Grand Island, Hastings and Kearney were warmer than normal.
  • Precipitation: Grand Island was near normal, Hastings was slightly below normal and Kearney well below normal.
  • Snowfall: Snowfall for the Tri-Cities was generally around normal.
Temperature - December 2008 through February 2009
Location Average Temperature Departure from Normal Average High Average Low
Grand Island 26.5 +1.1 38.5 14.4
Hastings 27.1 +0.5 38.8 15.3
Kearney 26.9* +1.6 39.2 14.6*

            * Low temperatures were missing for two days at Kearney

Precipitation and Snowfall - December 2008 through February 2009
Location Precipitation (in.) Departure from Normal Snowfall (in.) Departure from Normal
Grand Island 1.86"  0.02" below normal
 17.6" 1.1" below normal
Hastings 1.66" 0.29" below normal
 17.8" 1.5" above normal
Kearney 0.72" 1.06" below normal
15.7" 1.5"  below normal

Overall, the winter was drier than normal across north central Kansas and southern Nebraska, mainly south of Interstate 80. Areas to the north of the interstate, experienced more snowfall and will in turn be at or slightly above normal for winter precipitation.

 
 For more climate related information, check out the following websites:

 

 This page was composed by the staff at the National Weather Service in Hastings, Nebraska.

   



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