Drought Information Statement for Tri-State Area 
Valid May 6, 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.
Drought continues to worsen across the entire Tri State area.
Rain and snow to start the month makes a dent.
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U.S. Drought Monitor
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for High Plains

Drought intensity and Extent by County

Extreme Drought: Yuma, Dundy, Hitchcock, Red Willow, Kit Carson, Cheyenne KS, Rawlins, Decatur.
Severe Drought: Cheyenne CO, Sherman, Thomas, Norton, Graham, Greeley, Wichita, Gove, Sheridan. 
Moderate Drought: Wallace, Logan. 



        Star is centered on Goodland in all following maps. 

April Precipitation - Observed
Actual precipitation amounts in April (liquid equivalent for snow) were generally between 0.25” and 1.00” (blue to light green shading). Higher amounts were observed in Colorado (up to 2”, darker green) as well as Gove and Graham counties in northwest Kansas (locally greater than 2”, green to yellow shading).

April Precipitation - Departure from Normal
April precipitation amounts compared to normal were much below normal (yellow shading)  in all areas except portions of northeast Colorado and parts of Gove County, which were near normal (gray shading). 

Estimated Precipitation May 5-6
Rain and Snow to Start the Month:
Much needed precipitation fell over a 
 2-day period to start the month. Radar estimates show widespread 0.5” to 1” amounts (light green) and some heavier amounts of up to 1.5” (dark green). However, unless the trend continues for the rest of the month, it will not likely change the long term drought status. The forecast for May is for equal chances of above, near or below normal precipitation.  

Monthly Precipitation Outlook: May 2026
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Comments:
Equal chances for above, near or below normal for the entire the Tri State area. 




Seasonal Precipitation Outlook: May-July 2026
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Comments
Below normal slightly favored for the entire area (33% to 40% chance). 




Seasonal Drought Outlook: Through July 2026
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Comments
Drought persists across the entire Tri State area.



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