Soil moisture levels much
improved throughout state

by Laurie Pfeifer

Old man winter’s waning blows to the state late in April went a long way toward replenishing top soil moisture throughout the state.

That’s good news for farmers who are racing to get their crops in the ground before another round of wet weather.

In fact, it’s almost too good of news, according to state climatologist Al Dutcher.

Dutcher said much of central and eastern Nebraska is showing 80 to 100 percent of available capacity, indicating that little, if any, room exists for additional moisture in the short term.

“Any moderate to heavy precipitation over the next couple of weeks will create saturated surface conditions, leading to above normal runoff and additional planting delays,” he said in his latest Crop Watch report.

That’s disconcerting news considering the forecast is for more rain this week.

 

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