Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid February, 19, 2026 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated March, 19, 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/LBF/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Temperatures well above normal and below normal precipitation led to drought expansion across western and north central Nebraska over the past month. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): No counties in western and north central Nebraska. D3 (Extreme Drought): Garden and Sheridan Counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Sheridan, Cherry, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Deuel, Keith, Perkins, Chase Hayes, Frontier and Lincoln Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Chase, Hayes and Frontier Counties. D0 (Abnormally Dry): Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Boyd, and Holt Counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for The High Plains Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Holt, Garden, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase, Hayes and Frontier. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Wheeler, Garden, Arthur, McPherson, Custer, Deuel, Keith, and Chase. Drought Improved: None. Precipitation Precipitation amounts for the past 30 days were a trace to around two tenths of an inch. Precipitation was generally zero to 50 percent of normal over the past 30 days. Temperature Over the past week, temperatures have been well above normal across all of western and north central Nebraska. Over the past 30 days, temperatures were well above normal across all of western and north central Nebraska. 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 Pasture conditions have deteriorated considerably across the area over the past month. Fire Hazard Impacts Local partners have indicated that fuels are ready to burn given the right humidity, temperature and wind conditions. This is for all of western and north central Nebraska. There have been several range fires reported across western and north central Nebraska over the past month. Other Impacts “There are no known impacts at this time” Mitigation Actions “None reported” Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow across most of western and north central Nebraska was normal to above normal for this time of year. The exception was in the South Platte basin and portions of the Frenchman and Stinking Water Creek basins. In these areas, streamflow was below to much below normal. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 2 18 2026 Agricultural Impacts The crop moisture index across western and north central Nebraska, is excessively dry currently. Locations over southwestern Nebraska are near normal. Fire Hazard Impacts Significant wildland fire potential is near normal for this time of year. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The precipitation forecast over the next 7 days calls for a quarter, up to three quarters of an inch across a large portion of the area. Lighter amounts are possible over far northern portions of Nebraska. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Rapid onset of drought is not anticipated across western and north central Nebraska over the next couple of weeks. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The temperature outlook for March calls for above normal temperatures. Below normal precipitation is forecast south of a line from Antioch, to Broken Bow. Elsewhere there are equal chances for above, below or near normal precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage For the remainder of September, drought conditions are forecast to expand over north central Nebraska. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook