Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid April, 17, 2025 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated May, 15, 2025 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. Drought conditions have improved some over the northern Sandhills while drought conditions have deteriorated over portions of southwestern 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): Western portions of Sheridan County. D2 (Severe Drought):Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Holt, Boyd, Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, Blaine Thomas, Hooker, Garden, McPherson, Lincoln, Logan and Custer. D1 (Moderate Drought): Garden, Arthur, Grant, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Hooker, Deuel, Keith, McPherson, Lincoln, Custer, Frontier and Hayes D0: (Abnormally Dry): Hayes, Perkins, and Chase. 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: Garden, Keith, Perkins, Chase, Hayes and Lincoln Counties. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, Blaine, Thomas, Hooker, Grant, Garden, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Frontier, Hayes, Chase and Perkins Counties. Drought Improved: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Hooker, Grant, Arthur Perkins and Chase Counties. Precipitation Precipitation amounts for the past 30 days were an inch or better over the central and northern Sandhills into portions of SW Nebraska. Lighter amounts fell from North Platte to O’Neill Precipitation was generally 50 to 100 percent of normal for the past 30 days. A pocket of 25 to 50 percent of normal precipitation was present over the eastern Sandhills Temperature Over the past week, temperatures have been below normal across most of western and north central Nebraska with the exception of the eastern panhandle and far SW Nebraska. Over the past 30 days, temperatures were near normal to above normal across the 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 “There are no known impacts at this time” Fire Hazard Impacts Local fire partners have indicated that fine fuels (grasses) remain cured in western and southwestern Nebraska and will burn given the right wind and humidity conditions. Spring greenup has been lagging across the area due to a lack of moisture. Other Impacts “There are no known impacts at this time” Mitigation Actions “None reported” Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow across the northern half of the area was normal to above normal for this time of year. Flows in the southern Loup and Platte river system are below normal for this time of year. Flows in the Medicine Creek, Frenchman, and Stinking Water Creeks’ are much below normal for this time of year. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 4 17 2025 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. However, fire partners have indicated that one hour fuels are cured in western and southwestern Nebraska and will burn given favorable wind and humidity conditions. Little to no spring greenup of grasses has occurred yet. 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 tenth to a half an inch of precipitation. For locations in NW Nebraska, precipitation amounts up to a half an inch are possible. 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 outlook for May calls for above normal temperatures. The precipitation outlook for May calls for 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