Hastings, Nebraska – Despite a late-month surge of rainfall, most of south-central Nebraska wrapped up May 2025 with significantly below-average precipitation, leaving key cities like Grand Island, Kearney, and Hastings drier than usual.
According to the National Weather Service in Hastings, most of the 30-county coverage area saw between 1.50 and 4.50 inches of rain—just 35% to 100% of normal. Hastings logged only 1.67 inches, just 38% of its typical May rainfall. Grand Island ended with 3.14 inches (67% of normal), and Kearney saw 2.98 inches (68%). It was the driest May for Hastings since 2022, and one of the driest for Grand Island and Kearney since 2023.
Southwest counties like Furnas and parts of Nuckolls reported some of the lowest monthly totals, with Beaver City picking up just 1.02 inches. In contrast, isolated pockets in northeast and southeast Nebraska recorded heavy downpours, including Oak and Lawrence, both exceeding 7 inches due to intense storms between May 18–19.
Residents are urged to monitor soil moisture levels and conserve water as summer planting and irrigation demands increase. Dry conditions may persist into early June without sustained rain.
More updates and potential drought advisories could follow if rainfall deficits continue into the new month.
