By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Plentiful spring rains have moved the entire state out of drought conditions.
According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report released June 3, there are just two areas in Kansas rated as abnormally dry — in the far northeast corner and a southeast portion of the state.
According to the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 96.93 percent of Kansas land is drought-free as of June 1. At the same time last year, 49.84 percent of the state was drought-free.
In Hays, official weather records at the K-State Agricultural Center show 15.79 inches of moisture for the year as of June 1.
Hays is more than four inches ahead of rainfall for the year.
The 152-year cumulative average by the end of June is 11.35 inches. The average rainfall during June is 3.43 inches.