Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for December 2025–February 2026. Dated March 2026.

Temperatures have been exceptionally warm these past few months, with the basin recording its second-warmest winter. Precipitation was predominantly below normal this winter, aside from a few areas that did receive some snow.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for September–November 2025. Dated December 2025.

Primarily driven by warmer low temperatures, it was exceptionally hot this fall throughout the entire Basin. A total of 144 counties ranked in the top three warmest falls, while 40 of those ranked as the warmest. Precipitation this fall was hit or miss across the Basin.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for June–August 2025. Dated September 2025.

Temperatures were slightly above normal for the majority of the basin. This summer was also extremely humid, particularly in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Precipitation this summer was, for the most part, above normal for the eastern half of the basin. A total of nine counties in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota recorded their wettest summer on record, while another thirty ranked in the top five.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for March–May 2025. Dated June 2025.

Spring began on a warm note, with dozens of counties in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota ranking in the top 5 warmest. Precipitation was above normal in the western parts of the Dakotas this spring due to abundant rainfall in the latter half of May.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for December 2024–February 2025. Dated March 2025.

Despite a warm start, temperatures this winter were mostly below normal. This winter was dry, with snowfall well below normal across much of the northern and central Plains.

Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook for the Missouri River Basin for September–November 2024. Dated December 2024.

This fall was exceptionally hot across the basin, ranking the second warmest on record. Precipitation was well below normal for the Basin except for parts of Kansas.

Regional groundwater measurements in the Ogallala Aquifer show ongoing declines in aquifer water quality and quantity that are being exacerbated by warming trends and highly variable precipitation. The importance of this system, which is used for agriculture and is a main driver impacting socioeconomic activity and ecosystems in the region, cannot be overstated. Addressing regional aquifer depletion and other water-related challenges, including drought, is vital and necessary work.