Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid June, 18, 2026 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated July 16, 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. Seasonal temperatures and sporadic rainfall, led to some improvements in drought conditions over the past month. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Garden, Grant, Arthur and Deuel. D3 (Extreme Drought): Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Keya Paha, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase, Hayes and Frontier Counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Cherry, Rock, Keya Paha, Brown, Holt, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Custer and Chase Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Cherry, Keya Paha and Chase Counties. D0 (Abnormally Dry): No counties in western and north central Nebraska. 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: No counties. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Brown, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase, Hayes and Frontier counties. Drought Improved: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Holt, Garden, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Arthur, Custer, Chase, Hayes and Frontier counties. Precipitation Precipitation amounts for the past 30 days were a half an inch up to four inches. Precipitation was generally 50 to 130 percent of normal over the past 30 days. There were a couple of small pockets where precipitation was greater than 100 percent of normal (eastern Sandhills). Temperature Over the past week, temperatures have been below normal to well below normal across all of western and north central Nebraska. Over the past 30 days, temperatures were above normal across most 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 continue to be below average to poor with only limited greenup east of highway 61. West of highway 61, pasture conditions are poor to very poor and little to no greenup has occurred. Fire Hazard Impacts One hour fuels, including grasses, are partially cured in western and north central Nebraska and will burn under ideal conditions. 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 normal for all of western and north central Nebraska 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 broad swath of 1.00 to 3.00 inches of precipitation across most of western and north central Nebraska. Most of this precipitation is expected Saturday June 20th into Sunday June 21st. 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 July calls for equal chances for above, below or near normal temperatures. The precipitation outlook for July is 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