Season’s snowfall reaches 42 inches, but rain now would be nice

    With 80-degree temperatures this week in Imperial, snow that was still piled on the ground  just last week should be gone.
    But, there was a lot to melt.
    For the winter season from November through March, 42” of snow so far has been measured in Imperial by Mike Francis, who records weather locally for the National Weather Service.
    The 33.5” of snow recorded in the first three months of 2023 have already surpassed the entire snowfall of calendar year 2022 which saw 30.5” of snowfall, according to Francis’ figures.
    Of the 42” measured in the 2022-23 winter season, the most came in January with 19.7”.
    The multiple snowfalls have been a headache to many, but the moisture has been a blessing to the winter wheat crop and pastures.
    Jerry Volesky, a Range and Forage Specialist with NE Extension in North Platte, said they’ve had some good snowfall in Lincoln County, too.
    The good amounts of snowfall mean some good moisture has likely soaked into the area’s pasture ground.
    “Last summer and fall were so dry, replenishing the soil moisture is an important first step” in getting pasture ground back, Volesky said.
    However, timely spring rains will also be key.
    He said there should be enough moisture in the ground now to get the pasture grasses started, but it will be vital that rains show up in April and May, too.
    In addition, spring temperatures up until this week have been cooler than normal, he noted, putting pastures behind a bit compared to a normal year.
    “Pastures are just starting to green up now and showing some growth,” he said.
    Volesky said with last year’s dry conditions, it’s inevitable that pastures may have been grazed too hard.

    “Pastures are going to show that effect this summer even with rainfall,” he said.
    This summer could be reflective of 2013, the year after another severe drought in 2012.
    Volesky said even with the rain received in 2013, pastures showed some stress.
    Landowners may also see a lot more weeds in their pastures this summer, even with average rainfall.
    “After a severe drought, the grasses get weak, and there’s a better chance for weeds to grow,” he said.
    Logan Pribbeno, president of Wine Glass Ranch north of Imperial, agrees with Volesky that spring rains will be vital, both for pastures and winter wheat.
    While the snowfall was welcome, sandy soils like in much of Chase County don’t hold moisture as well as less sandy soils.
    “The snow was good and has helped, but I’d take a couple of inches of rain right now,” he said.
    In addition to the pasture they have for their cattle, Wine Glass grows winter wheat. In talking with other wheat farmers, Pribbeno said some believe the crop is a good three weeks behind due mostly to the extended cold weather.
    “Normally right now you’re driving around looking at some beautiful, lush green wheat fields,” he said.
    But that’s not the case.
    While this week’s warmer temperatures provide some optimism, April’s moisture will be very important, he said, for a good wheat crop this summer.