Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid August, 21, 2025 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated September, 18, 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 continue to improve over 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): No counties in western and north central Nebraska. D2 (Severe Drought): Garden County. D1 (Moderate Drought): Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Arthur, Logan, Custer, Keith, Lincoln, Hayes and Frontier Counties. D0 (Abnormally Dry): Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Hayes and Frontier 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: Cherry, Grant and Hooker Counties. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Rock, Keya Paha, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Hayes and Frontier Counties. Drought Improved: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Blaine, Loup, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Lincoln, Perkins, Hayes and Frontier Counties. Precipitation Precipitation amounts for the past 30 days were in the 1 to 4 inch range across western and north central Nebraska. Some localized areas saw less than an inch and some areas saw more than 4 inches. Precipitation was generally 100 to 300 percent of normal, except 50 to 100 percent of normal across the central Sandhills. Temperature Over the past week, temperatures have been above normal across all of western and north central Nebraska. Over the past 30 days, temperatures were near normal across most of the area with slightly above normal temperatures in far western areas and below normal temperatures in far eastern areas. 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 have undergone greenup and are not receptive to rapid fire spread. However, given the dry conditions over the past 1 to 2 weeks, fire partners have indicated that fuels are becoming increasingly receptive to fire in the eastern Nebraska Panhandle. 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. Flows in the Medicine Creek, Frenchman, and Stinking Water Creeks’ are below normal to much below normal for this time of year. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 8 20 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 0.50 to 1 inch of precipitation across far southwestern Nebraska. Across the remainder of western and north central Nebraska, 0.01 to 0.50 inches of precipitation is 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 September calls for above normal temperatures. The precipitation outlook for September calls for below normal precipitation west of a line from Cody to Hayes Center. East of this line, the forecast is 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