Late summer, fall drought conditions may continue into the winter months

HARTINGTON — Drought conditions seemed to subside at the beginning of the summer, with aboveaverage rainfall in May and June. Then July was back to what the area experienced last year, with long hot days and an occasional rain shower. August and September were much of the same. Initial reports indicate that September may be one of the top three driest Septembers in history. In recent weeks rainfall has been forecasted but not realized. As the region continues to experience dry conditions, the lack of rain could result in a more profound drought going into the winter.