By Scout Nelson
Access to accurate weather and soil moisture information is essential for making timely crop management decisions during the growing season. Data on rainfall and soil water levels can help producers make informed choices related to irrigation, nutrient management, and field operations.
To support these needs, Nebraska Extension specialists Steve Hu and Steve Melvin developed the Weather and Climate Information for Agricultural Decision-Making website. The resource provides rainfall estimates from the previous 24, 48, and 72 hours, helping farmers better understand recent weather conditions across Nebraska.
The platform uses a 4-kilometer resolution to display precipitation patterns and includes tools to estimate rainfall totals for specific locations. This information gives producers a clearer picture of moisture conditions affecting their crops.
In addition to rainfall data, the website offers maps showing estimated soil moisture levels for both the previous day and the previous month. The maps compare current soil moisture conditions with long-term averages, helping users identify areas that are wetter or drier than normal.
Although the soil moisture maps are not field-specific, they provide a useful overview of regional soil water conditions. Farmers can use this information to support irrigation planning and other management decisions throughout the season.
The site also tracks weekly and monthly changes in soil water by comparing rainfall and evaporation. These measurements help producers determine whether soil moisture reserves are improving or declining over time.
Developed by Nebraska Extension and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the resource is designed to help farmers confidently apply weather and climate data to daily management decisions. Extension specialists continue to support the tool and plan future updates based on producer feedback and agricultural needs.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Nebraska, Crops, Weather