After rebound, more dry weather returns

    It’s not big news that moisture in 2022 was low, more noticeable after the return to normal levels the year before following a drought-stricken 2020.
    In fact, only two other years in the last 15 in Imperial showed moisture totals lower than 2022.
    The 13.76” in moisture received last year was part of the annual report from Mike Francis, data recorder for the National Weather Service in North Platte. He takes readings from his home at the southwest edge of Imperial.
    The 13.76” in moisture is close to 7” less than 2021, and the third lowest in 15 years. Only 2020 and 2012 were drier.
    2022 could have finished as the second driest year in 15, except for just over an inch of moisture from snow and rain late in December. The moisture came from both rain and snow within days of the new year.
    Overall, December saw 1.78”  moisture to help out the dryness late in the year.
    July proved to be the best month for moisture with 3.81” recorded. May saw just over 3” of rain, with December’s 1.78”  coming in as the third wettest month.
    Only three other months—March, June and September—recorded more than 1” of rain.
    Just a trace of moisture was measured in February after an inch of snow fell.            February was right in the middle of a long spell without measurable moisture from Jan. 26 to March 7, according to Francis’ records.
    Later in the year, after just .05 an inch of rain on Aug. 1, the Imperial area went without a drop of rain until Sept. 15.
    Overall, the year had 30.53” of snow, the most falling in January with 12.8”.
Temperature extremes
    The year 2022 was one of extremes when looking at the temperatures.
    Mixed in with the lack of moisture, 2022 will be remembered as a long, hot summer.
    Imperial suffered through a balmy July with highs that peaked at 107 on July 10, the warmest of the year.
    In all, there were 19 days in 2022 that hit 100 or above. The hot temperatures started early and hung on late, with the first 100-plus reading on June 13 and the final 100 or better on Sept. 8. Both those dates recorded 104 degrees.
    On the cold end, Imperial residents received frigid pre-Christmas readings of -12 recorded two days in a row Dec. 21-22 for the coldest days of the year. The high on Dec. 22 reached only -1 degree.
    2022 had seven days at 0 degrees or colder, coming in the months of December, January and February.

Moisture past 15 years
2008—22.77”
2009—26.27”
2010—26.39”
2011—26.67”
2012—12.51”
2013—14.52”
2014—20.38”
2015—21.86”
2016—20.44”
2017—16.32”
2018—23.62”
2019—20.04”
2020—11.22”
2021—20.40”
2022—13.76”