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Kearney County drought fades after August rain
September 23, 2026
Kearney County drought coverage dropped from 99.44% in Moderate Drought or worse during mid-August to 0.59% by September 15, driven by August precipitation of 4 in against a normal of 2.9 in. The August rainfall marked relief from a severe dry spell that had persisted through July and into August.
Minden nights running warm this fall
September 23, 2026
Mean daily temperatures at Minden station (7 km away) have run 2°F above normal for the high and 7°F above normal for the low over the past 30 days, continuing a warm pattern established during the late summer dry period. Nighttime temperatures have been unusually warm for fall.
Great Plains ladies' tresses blooming near Nebraska
September 23, 2026
, a state-threatened native orchid, was observed flowering near Nebraska on September 19 during its normal late summer to fall blooming period. The species flowers between August and November in calcareous soils of prairies and fens, with above-normal temperatures in the preceding weeks potentially influencing timing.
More about Purple loosestrife
Purple loosestrife still blooming around Milwaukee
September 21, 2026
was recorded 9 times in the past 30 days across the Milwaukee area, with the most recent sighting on 2026-09-18 in Milwaukee. This introduced wetland invasive remains in flower in September as warmer than normal conditions extend the growing season. Mean temperatures in the past month were 2.8°F above normal for highs and 3.9°F above normal for lows.
Wildwood Lake stands alone as the region's impaired water body
July 14, 2026
Among 28 water bodies assessed in and around the region, Wildwood Lake is the only one listed as impaired — a stark outlier while every surrounding creek is meeting its ecological goals. This old Susquehanna oxbow carries a complex legacy. Its shorelines are now dominated by and , invasive species that have reshaped its wetland margins. About one-third of the region's non-native taxa occur here — 50 introduced species among 159 recorded within the immediate area. Lake sediments act as a long-term nutrient trap, holding pollution for decades. Recovery from impairment status is not a matter of years or seasons, but generations. The water quality challenges Wildwood faces will require sustained intervention and patience.
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