Drought Information Statement for Northeast Nevada Valid: December 14, 2025 Issued By: WFO Elko, NV Contact Information: nws.elko@noaa.gov This product will be updated January 12, 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/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 mostly unchanged for eastern Nevada. Drought conditions improve for parts of N Nye County, Nevada. 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): None. D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of E Elko, N Nye, and E White Pine Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of E Elko, White Pine and NE Nye Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Central Elko, S Eureka, S Lander, and NW 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: West central White Pine. No Change: Central Elko, E Elko, N Nye, and E White Pine Counties. Drought Improved: 1 Class improvement: Portions of N Nye County. Link to graphic: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ChangeMaps.aspx Precipitation With the exception of the southern part of N Nye county, most of NE Nevada has seen between 0% to 25% of normal Precipitation for the month of November. However, Tonopah was the lone location that saw between 150% to 200% of normal precipitation. 30 Day precipitation estimates show that most of Nevada saw less than 0.50” of rainfall for the month of November. 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 from well above normal temperatures, While far NE Elko County saw slightly below normal temperatures. 30 day departures (right) shows most of Nevada with above normal maximum temperatures for NE Nevada. 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 NE Nevada, and below average to well below average for eastern Nevada, N Lander, N Eureka, N Elko and central Humboldt County for this time of year. Snow melt have elevated stream flows for a portion of north central Elko county to above normal. 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, but improving. Fire Hazard Impacts Fuel moisture status for Elko, Eureka, S Lander, N Nye, S Eureka and White Pine Counties have been moved to out of season status. Other Impacts Snow Drought conditions are evident for the mountains of Northern and Central Nevada. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow averages for the December 01 - 07 period show that E Elko, N Elko, N Eureka, C Humboldt, SE Humboldt, and N Lander Counties, including the W 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, S Eureka, Humboldt, S Lander, N Nye, and W White Pine Counties are seeing normal streamflow conditions in the 25-75 percentile class. While NW Elko-Owyhee River basin region seeing above normal streamflow in the 76-90 percentile class. Image: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC8 map valid 12 10 2025 Graphic: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?m=pa07d_nwc&r=nv&w=map Agricultural Impacts Calculated shallow soil moisture is near normal for this time of year across most of Nevada. Deeper root zone soil moisture deficits persist across Eastern Nevada. Vegetation indices (wild/crop-not shown) across the state still shows moderate drought stress. Crop moisture index for NV shows near normal conditions. Soil moisture ranking across most of northern and central Nevada now resides near average. Only E NV resides below 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 are now out of season. Although active fire restrictions are still in effect. There have been several significant wildfires within the forecast area during August and early September across Elko and Humboldt counties. Burn scar mitigation, and rehabilitation efforts are underway. Significant wildland fire potential for December 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 only for the mountains of Elko county for the next 7 days through mid December. There is a 40%-50% chance for above normal precipitation for central NV, and a 50%-60% chance for above normal precipitation for N NV for the following 8 to 14 days for late December (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 (snow/rain), strong winds, or severe flooding are not expected across Nevada 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. Monthly Temperature outlook for Nevada indicates equal chances for W NV. A 33%-40% chance for above normal temperatures for central NV. As well as a 40%-50% chance for above normal temperatures for E NV. Seasonal outlooks (Dec/Jan/Feb) - (not shown) favor a 33%-40% chance for above normal precipitation for far N NV, and equal chances for above or below normal precipitation most of NV. As well as, a 33%-40% chance for above normal temperatures most of 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. However drought is still forecast to end across far NE Elko County. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook https://www.drought.gov/forecasts