Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid July, 21, 2026 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated August 20, 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 County. D3 (Extreme Drought): Sheridan, Cherry, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Wheeler, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Lincoln, Hayes and Frontier Counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Sheridan, Cherry, Rock, Keya Paha, Brown, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Custer, Perkins, Chase, Hayes and Frontier Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Cherry, Brown, Keya Paha, Perkins, Hayes and Chase Counties. D0 (Abnormally Dry): Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown and Chase 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: No counties. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Lincoln, and Frontier counties. Drought Improved: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Chase, Hayes and Frontier counties. Precipitation Precipitation amounts for the past 30 days were an inch up to six inches. Precipitation was generally 25 to 100 percent of normal over the past 30 days with 100 to 200 percent of normal in the panhandle and eastern Sandhills There were a couple of small pockets in the northeastern Nebraska Panhandle where precipitation was 200 to 400 percent of normal. Temperature Over the past week, temperatures have normal to well above 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. Some pockets of near normal to below normal temps were present over SW and 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 and recent heat has led to deterioration in pasture conditions. 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 0.50 to 1.50 inches of precipitation from Cherry County, southeast into portions of the eastern Sandhills and central Nebraska. Precipitation amounts between a 0.10 and 0.50 inches are possible elsewhere. 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 possible over western and north central Nebraska over the next couple of weeks. There is a moderate risk for extreme heat during the last week of July. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The temperature outlook for August calls for equal chances for above, below or near normal temperatures. The precipitation outlook for August is for above 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