NORFOLK, Neb. -- Of the past 127 years, 2022 was the fourth-driest year for the state of Nebraska. That has left drought conditions across 99 percent of the state.

So far, 2023 has turned a new, wetter leaf, with many areas of the state experiencing much higher precipitation.

Hartington's January precipitation of 2.07" was over 300 percent higher than last year. Falls City, Tekamah and Norfolk have also seen increases over 200 percent. Fremont, Columbus, Beatrice, Lincoln and Omaha have also seen significant increases from the first month of last year.

Unfortunately, winter precipitation doesn't typically add up to much. National Weather Service officials say a wet spring would be able to make a much larger dent in the current drought designations.