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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-
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
42
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.