Drought Information Statement for Kansas 
Valid October 3, 2026
Issued By: WFO Wichita
Contact Information: w-ict.webmaster@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated as drought conditions warrant.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ICT/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.
Drought continues across generally the southern half of Kansas, although recent rainfall will likely cause some improvement

Kansas Drought Monitor (as of Sep 29)
Drought intensity and Extent

D4 (Exceptional Drought): None

D3 (Extreme Drought): None

D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of central and southern Kansas

D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of the southern half of Kansas, and small portions of northwest Kansas

D0: (Abnormally Dry): Much of Kansas except northeast portions and a small portion of west-central Kansas

4-Week Drought Change
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change

Drought Worsened: 1 category across small portions of western, central, and eastern Kansas

Drought Improved: 1 to 2 categories for portions of western, central, and eastern Kansas

8-Week Drought Change
Eight Week Drought Monitor Class Change

Drought Worsened: 1 to 3 categories for large portions of central and southeast Kansas

Drought Improved: 1 to 2 categories for portions of central and western Kansas

Precipitation Past 30 Days
Precipitation the past 30 days has been mostly well above average across Kansas, although small portions of southeast Kansas are near to below average.

Precipitation Past 90 Days
Precipitation the past 90 days has been mostly near to above average, with mostly below average over portions of south-central and southeast Kansas.

Agricultural Impacts (Soil Moisture Percentile and Change)
Soil moisture increased substantially the past month over much of the state due to mostly above average precipitation. Soil moisture as of October 3rd was well above average over much of the state due to recent beneficial rainfall.

Significant Wildland Fire Potential
Per Predictive Services, the forecast for significant wildland fire potential is near average across Kansas through December.

7-Day Precipitation Forecast (thru October 11) 
                  
Little to no rainfall is forecast across Kansas and adjacent regions the next 7 days.

October Precipitation and Temperature Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
There is a 33-50% chance for above average temperatures across mainly central to northern KS. There are equal chance for above, below, or near average precipitation.

Precipitation and Temperature Outlook through December
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
There is a 33-40% chance for above average temperatures across mainly the northeast half of KS. There is a 33-50% chance for above average precipitation statewide. 

Drought Outlook Through December
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought improvement and removal is possible across current drought-stricken areas of KS due to the potential for above average precipitation.

Strong El Niño Likely into Spring 2027
El Niño has emerged, and is forecast to strengthen into a very strong El Niño, persisting into spring 2027.

Strong El Niños favor above average precipitation across Kansas during the fall-winter-spring months
Strong El Niños can lead to near to near to below average temperatures Oct-Dec
Strong El Niños can lead to near to above average precipitation Oct-Dec
Strong El Niños can lead to near to near to above average temperatures Dec-Feb.
Strong El Niños can lead to above average precipitation Dec-Feb

Feedback and Contact
For feedback, comments, or questions specific to this Drought Information Statement please reach out to: nws.wichita@noaa.gov