The 3.89 inches of precipitation in Lincoln during January 1 - May 31, 2009 is the 3rd lowest total for that time period during the past 123 years (1887-2009).  The following is a summary of how the rest of the High Plains Region is faring with precipitation so far this year. 

May 2009 marked the 7th month in a row with below normal precipitation in Eastern Nebraska. It is too early to tell if this is merely a dry spell or a return to drought conditions in the area. As shown on the following map, a large area stretching from the Texas Panhandle up to southwestern Minnesota has experienced well below normal precipitation since the first of the year (red colors).  The second map illustrates that a large area of the western U.S. has experienced below normal precipitation since January 1 (brown and red colors).  Only small areas of the lower 48 states have seen well above normal precipitation (blue and purple colors on the maps).

Some January 1 -May 31, 2009 Precipitation (in inches) Updates:

Location	Precipitation Total	Normal	Deficit	% of Normal
Valley, NE	5.22	11.08	-5.86	47.1
Lincoln, NE	3.89	10.67	-6.78	36.5
Norfolk, NE	4.54	9.81	-5.27	46.3
Omaha, NE	5.63	11.08	-5.45	50.8
North Platte, NE	7.25	7.45	-0.20	97.3
Valentine, SD	6.67	7.06	-0.39	94.5
Sioux Falls, SD	5.42	8.87	-3.45	61.1
Huron, SD	5.98	8.02	-2.04	74.6
Mitchell, SD	5.78	8.84	-3.11	64.8
Sioux City, SD	5.04	9.71	-4.67	51.9
Salina, KS	5.97	12.65	-6.68	47.2
Dodge City, KS	5.77	8.37	-2.60	68.9
Garden City, KS	7.73	7.57	-1.84	75.7
Medicine Lodge, KS	7.78	10.82	-3.04	71.9
Eau Claire, WI	6.27	10.30	-4.03	58.1