Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid May, 18, 2025 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated June, 19, 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 deteriorated over all of 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): Western portions of Sheridan, western Garden, and portions of Holt, Garfield, Wheeler and Custer County. D2 (Severe Drought):Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Holt, Boyd, Garfield, Loup, Blaine Thomas, Hooker, Grant, Garden, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Hayes, and Frontier County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Boyd, Holt, Perkins, Chase and Hayes County. D0: (Abnormally Dry): None 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, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Loup, Wheeler, Arthur, McPherson, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Custer, Perkins, Chase, Hayes, and Frontier Counties. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Boyd, Holt, Thomas, Loup, Garfield, Garden, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Chase and Hayes Counties. Drought Improved: Sheridan, Boyd and Holt Counties. Precipitation Precipitation amounts for the past 30 days were under an inch roughly south of a line from Chappell, to North Platte, to Broken Bow and Bartlett. Precipitation was generally 0 to 75 percent of normal south of a line from Antioch, to Spencer. North of that line, precipitation was 75 percent to 150 percent of normal. 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 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 “There are no known impacts at this time” Fire Hazard Impacts Local fire partners have indicated that fine fuels (grasses) are partially cured in western and southwestern Nebraska and will burn given the right wind and humidity conditions. Several range fires have occurred 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 the northern half of the area was normal to above normal for this time of year. Flows in the southern Loup, Elkhorn and Platte river system are below normal to much 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 5 16 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. 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 1 to 2 inches of precipitation across all of western and north central Nebraska. The heaviest amounts are forecasted over north central 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 outlook for June calls for above normal temperatures. The precipitation outlook for June calls for equal chances for above, below or near normal precipitation for most of the area. West of a line from Antioch to Hayes Center, below normal precipitation is forecast. 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