Drought Information Statement for Southeast Wyoming and the Nebraska Panhandle Valid July 2, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service Cheyenne, WY Contact Information: nws.cheyenne@noaa.gov This product will be updated August 7, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/cys/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Drought has largely held steady over the last month as temperatures were only slightly above average and locally heavy thunderstorm rainfall brought isolated improvement. Severe (D2) to Extreme (D3) drought covers most of the area. Localized Exceptional (D4) drought remain in western Nebraska. Streamflow is near record low across the area following an early runoff of the record low winter snowpack. ************************************************************************************** U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Portions of the central and southern Nebraska panhandle D3 (Extreme Drought): Most of the remaining Nebraska panhandle & east central Wyoming D2 (Severe Drought): Most of south central and southeast Wyoming, portions of Scotts Bluff and Morrill counties where locally heavy thunderstorm rainfall occurred D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of central Carbon County D0: (Abnormally Dry): None ************************************************************************************** Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change Drought Worsened: Small portions of Laramie County and areas in western Nebraska missed by June’s thunderstorm activity No Change: Most of southeast Wyoming and western Nebraska Drought Improved: Pockets of the central Nebraska panhandle where locally heavy thunderstorm rainfall occurred. Portions of Albany, Platte, Goshen, and Laramie counties. ************************************************************************************** Precipitation June precipitation mainly came from spotty thunderstorm rainfall. Above average rainfall fell across central portions of the area stretching from northern Albany county towards Scottsbluff and Bridgeport. Below average rainfall fell both north and south of the above corridor. ************************************************************************************** Temperature Warm temperatures prevailed over the last 30 days, but anomalies were less significant than earlier in 2026. Most of the area was between near normal and about 3 degrees above normal. Southern Carbon county ranged from 3 to 6 degrees above normal. Temperatures were not as significant of a factor in worsening drought in June, but much of the current drought relates to the very warm temperatures observed in Spring 2026. ************************************************************************************** Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Streamflow remains below normal to near record low following a record low spring snowpack and warm temperatures leading to an early runoff season. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has experienced little change over the last 30 days, but due to the milder degree of warmth and occasional rainfall, the percentile has improved. Soil moisture is still below the 10th percentile for most of the area, but some locally brighter spots exist in western Nebraska. Fire Hazard Impacts Above normal wildland fire potential is expected to continue through the summer in the higher elevations of southern Wyoming. Mitigation Actions Several municipalities have instituted fire restrictions across the area. Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Spring runoff has long since concluded following record low winter snowpack and warm spring temperatures. Streamflows remain below average across the area, with some locations near record low values for this time of year. Below average flow is expected to continue over at least the next several weeks to months. ************************************************************************************** Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is abnormally low, but no longer record low, across the area Short term water deficits remain, but improvements are apparent in the central Nebraska panhandle ************************************************************************************** Fire Hazard Impacts Abnormally high wildfire activity persisted through June, especially in the northern Nebraska panhandle. Above normal wildland fire potential is expected in the higher elevations of southern Wyoming through August. Long range models continue to favor an active monsoon season later this summer, which reduces confidence in above normal fire activity continuing into September. ************************************************************************************** Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The latest outlooks from the Climate Prediction Center for July lean towards above normal temperatures, with equal chances of above and below normal precipitation due to uncertainty in the development of the North American Monsoon. ************************************************************************************** Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to persist over the next three months over most of the area. Outlooks favor a robust North American monsoon later this summer, which may lead to improvements to the drought in southern Carbon County by the end of the summer.