Is it hot and dry, or is it just me?

Just in case you are wondering, yes, it is. It’s hot and dry.

In fact, data from the Colorado State University CoAgMet weather stations in the area show that most conditions are in record, or nearly record, territory. These conditions are:

— Evaporative demand or the “thirst” of the atmosphere. It’s the amount of water the atmosphere can absorb. Temperature, windspeed, humidity and cloud cover all influence evaporative demand.

— Water balance, which is the difference between available water and the water needed for crops and grass. Yes, some crops need more water than others. But even native grasses need around 1.5 inches per week according to Nebraska Crop Water Use Estimates.

— Growing season precipitation. For this data, the growing season is from April 1-Oct. 1.

Evaporative demand for the weather station 2.5 miles northwest of Haxtun is just higher than the record year of 2012. Growing season precipitation is sitting about midway between the minimum record set in 2012 and the long-term average. However, the growing season water balance is tracking near the record low, also set in 2012.

Believe it or not, the station 12 miles southeast of Holyoke shows conditions just a bit more dire. The evaporative demand is just under the high record set in 1994. In contrast, the growing season precipitation is currently below the record set in 2012. Not surprisingly, the water balance is tracking with the record low set in 1994.

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