Drought Information Statement for Tri-State Area Valid March 5, 2026 Issued By: NWS Goodland, Kansas Contact Information: nws.goodland@noaa.gov This product will be updated by the 5th of each month 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/GLD/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Moderate Drought expands across northern areas. Drought may develop through the spring into the remainder of the Tri State area. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for High Plains Drought intensity and Extent by County Moderate Drought: Yuma, Dundy, Hitchcock, Red Willow, Cheyenne Kansas, Rawlins, Decatur. Abnormally Dry: Kit Carson, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Norton. Comments Below normal precipitation continues to add up over the past few months and drought conditions have expanded both eastward and southward. Star is centered on Goodland in all following maps. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for CONUS 4 Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: generally along and north of Interstate 70. No Change: moderate drought continues. Drought Improved: none. Comments Slowly worsening drought in northern areas. No drought elsewhere (white area). Observed Precipitation: December 2025-February 2026 Observed precipitation amounts over the past 3 months in this area generally ranged from 0.25” to 0.50”. Some higher amounts of a 0.50” or higher were observed further south. This is the Moderate Drought area. Observed Precipitation: December 2025-February 2026 Observed precipitation amounts over the past 3 months in this area generally ranged from 0.50” to 1.50”. Lower end values are abnormally dry, but not in drought. February Precipitation - Observed Actual precipitation amounts in February (liquid equivalent for snow) ranged from 0.50” to 1.50” across much of the area (green to dark green shading). Outside of those areas amounts were less than 0.50” (dark blue) and is some cases less than 0.25”. February Precipitation - Departure from Normal February precipitation amounts compared to normal were slightly above normal in the green shaded areas and near normal elsewhere. Monthly Precipitation Outlook: March 2026 The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Comments: Equal chances for above, near or below normal for most of the Tri State area. Some lower chances for above normal in eastern areas (Norton, Graham, Gove). Seasonal Precipitation Outlook: March-May 2026 The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Comments Below normal favored for the entire area through May. Monthly Drought Outlook: March 2026 The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Comments Drought expected to persist through the month. Seasonal Drought Outlook: March-May 2026 The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Comments Drought persists and possibly develops in the remainder of the Tri State area through May. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Agricultural Impacts USDA Nebraska Crop Progress and Condition Reports can be found here USDA Kansas Crop Progress and Condition Reports can be found here Fire Hazard Impacts Fuels are dry across the entire area. Windy days with low humidity will have a risk for wildfires. Other Impacts : There are no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Contact Information For feedback, comments, questions specific to the Drought Information Statement please reach out to: nws.goodland@noaa.gov