Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid October, 15, 2026 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated November 19, 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. Increased rainfall, led to improvements in drought conditions over the past month mainly over the Sandhills portions of southwestern Nebraska. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None. D3 (Extreme Drought): None. D2 (Severe Drought): Sheridan, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase, Hayes and Frontier Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase, Hayes and Frontier Counties. D0 (Abnormally Dry): Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Boyd, Holt, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Wheeler, Custer, Chase, 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: Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Holt, Garfield, and Wheeler. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Rock, Brown, Boyd, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Garfield, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase and Hayes Counties. Drought Improved: Sheridan, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Holt, Garden, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Wheeler, Logan, Custer, Hayes and Frontier Counties. Precipitation Precipitation amounts for the past 30 days were a a half an inch up to 4 inches of rainfall. Precipitation was generally 100 to 200 percent of normal over the past 30 days with 25 to 75 percent of normal along a swath from North Platte to O’Neill. There were a couple of small pockets in the NW Sandhills and portions of Frontier County where precipitation was 200 to 300 percent of normal. Temperature Over the past week, temperatures were well above normal across all of western and north central Nebraska. Over the past 30 days, temperatures were above normal to well above normal across western and north central Nebraska. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Lake McConaughy is at its lowest level since 2004. Agricultural Impacts Pasture conditions are average and recent rainfall has led to improvements in pasture conditions. Fire Hazard Impacts One hour fuels, including grasses, are partially cured in western Nebraska and will burn under ideal conditions. Heavy fuels in the Pine Ridge are cured and ready to burn. 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 0.01 to 0.25 inches of precipitation across most of western and north central Nebraska. Precipitation amounts between a 0.25 inches and 0.50 inches are possible over the northwestern Sandhills and northeastern Nebraska Panhandle. 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 likely 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 November calls for above normal temperatures for all of western and north central Nebraska. The precipitation outlook for November 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