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Lower Plains: Kansas, Nebraska

Scotts Bluff was an important landmark on the westward pioneer trails of the 19th century. The region contains several bluffs (steep hills) on the south side of the North Platte River; Scotts Bluff is the largest, rising more than 800 feet (240 m) above the surrounding area.

zard can hit in late spring, while January might turn unexpectedly balmy. Typically, however, summers are hot and winters are cold through- out the state. It is not uncommon for summer temperatures to top 100ºF (38ºC) across Nebraska. In the north- west, winter temperatures sometimes

has a bigger population and more farmland than western Nebraska. Across the state as a whole, however, precipitation can vary greatly from season to season and year to year. Much like Kansas, Nebraska also experiences extremely variable tem- peratures. The occasional freak bliz-