Drought Information Statement for Northeast Nevada Valid: October 10, 2025 Issued By: WFO Elko, NV Contact Information: nws.elko@noaa.gov This product will be updated November 10, 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/lkn/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Abnormally dry conditions continue across Nevada. Drought conditions unchanged for most of NE Nevada. Drought conditions improve for Far NE Elko County. Help doc to create outlook: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PEq2BFBTNCuCWiFbJr6MLmOICnPUD7sCuQKwyHDnaBg/edit?tab=t.0 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for the Western U.S. Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None. D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of far east central White Pine County. D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of NE Elko, SE Elko, N Nye, and White Pine Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions Elko, Eureka, far W Humboldt, Lander, and far NW Nye Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Humboldt, far SW Lander, and far N Nye Counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for the Western U.S. Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: 1 Class degradation: W Elko, N Eureka, W Humboldt, N Lander, Counties No Change: Central Elko, E Elko, S Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, N Nye, White Pine Counties. Drought Improved: 1 Class improvement: Far NW Humboldt, far SW Lander, and Far NE Elko Counties. Link to graphic: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ChangeMaps.aspx Precipitation Northwestern Nevada has seen up to 100%-300% of normal Precipitation for the month of September, thanks to a strong Fall upper trough that moved through NV for the last week of the month. While South central NV saw continued dry conditions receiving only 0 to 25% of normal. 30 Day precipitation estimates show that most of NE Nevada saw beneficial rainfall for the month of September with estimated rainfall amounts of between 1” and 4”. However, areas of far N Humboldt, SE White Pine, and N Nye Counties missed out. Additional Resource: HPRCC (High Plains Regional Climate Center) Link to graphics: https://www.drought.gov/topics/temperature-precipitation Temperature Temperature departures for the last 7 days (center) show maximum temperatures for NV ranged slightly below normal, while eastern Elko County saw near to to slightly above normal temperatures. 30 day departures (right) shows most of Nevada with near normal maximum temperatures for NE Nevada. Far N NV saw slightly above normal temperatures, with C NV seeing below normal temperatures. Additional Resource: HPRCC (High Plains Regional Climate Center) Link to graphic: https://www.drought.gov/topics/temperature-precipitation Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Most streams and rivers continue to flow near to average for western Nevada, and below average for eastern Nevada for this time of year. Agricultural Impacts Surface soil moisture has seen a recovery due to recent rains across northern and portions of west central Nevada, However for east-central Nevada, as well as deeper soil moisture products conditions still run near to or below normal, with vegetation stress still evident.. Fire Hazard Impacts Recent rains have improved fuel moisture status for Elko, Eureka, S Lander, N Nye, S Eureka and White Pine Counties. However Fuels remain cured/critical for N Lander and Humboldt Counties Other Impacts Wild horse roundups across eastern Nevada BLM lands in July due to lack of water. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow averages for the October 01 - 07 period show that eastern Elko and White Pine Counties, including the E Humboldt river basin seeing below normal streamflow in the 10-24 percentile class. While far eastern White Pine County is seeing Much below normal stream flow in the <=10 percentile class. Basins in N Elko, SW Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, N Nye, and W White Pine Counties are seeing normal streamflow conditions in the 25-75 percentile class. While W Humboldt County/Paradise Valley region seeing much above normal streamflow in the >90 percentile class. Image: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC8 map valid 10 07 2025 Graphic: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?m=pa07d_nwc&r=nv&w=map Agricultural Impacts Calculated soil moisture is near normal for this time of year across most of Nevada thanks to recent rains. Soil moisture deficits across central Nevada persist. Vegetation (wild/crop-not shown) across the state still shows moderate to severe drought stress. Crop moisture index for the 2025 growing season for NV shows near normal conditions. Soil moisture ranking across most of northern and central Nevada now resides near to to slightly below average. Only NW NV resides near normal. SOIL MOISTURE LINK: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/soilmst/img/curr.w.rank.daily.gif Crop moisture index: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/cmi.gif but this had more up to date map: https://www.drought.gov/data-maps-tools/crop-moisture-index-cmi Fire Hazard Impacts Normal fire weather hazards exist for Northern and Central Nevada Fire weather zones 425, 426, 427, 438, 469, and 470 have reverted to near critical as recent rains have increased fuel moisture. Fuels remain cured, and are “Critical” for zones 424, and 437. There are have been several significant wildfires within the forecast area during August and early September. Significant wildland fire potential for October is indicated to be near normal conditions for Northeastern NV. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center An Interactive Fire Restrictions Map for Nevada can be found at: https://www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Wetting precipitation (>0.10”) is currently forecast for much of eastern and northern Nevada for the next 7 days through mid October. While near normal precipitation is favored for northwestern Nevada, while above normal precipitation is favored for eastern, central, and southern NV for the following 8 to 14 days in late October (not shown). Link to graphic: https://www.drought.gov/forecasts Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook Rapid onset drought is not expected, although drought and abnormally dry conditions persist across Nevada. Other hazards such as extreme heat, heavy precipitation, strong winds, or severe flooding are not expected for the period. https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/threats.php Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Monthly precipitation outlook for Nevada favors equal chances of above or below normal for Nevada. While NW Humboldt county has a 33%-40% chance for above normal precipitation Monthly Temperature outlook for Nevada indicates ah an equal chance for above or below normal temperatures forecast for all but far S NV.. Seasonal outlooks (Oct/NOv/Dec) - not shown) favor equal chances for above or below normal precipitation for NV. As well as, a 40% to 50% chance for above normal temperatures for Nevada. Graphics link: https://www.drought.gov/forecasts Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Monthly drought outlook shows that drought conditions are expected to continue for much of central and southern NV. Seasonal drought outlook also shows that drought conditions are favored to continue for much of central Nevada. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook https://www.drought.gov/forecasts