Drought Information Statement for Northeast Nevada Valid February 17, 2026 Issued By: National Weather Service WFO Elko, NV Contact Information: nws.elko@noaa.gov This product will be updated March 9, 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 have expanded across of eastern and central Nevada. Snow Drought conditions continue across Nevada. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for Northeast Nevada Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): None D2 (Severe Drought): Far N Elko, Far SE Elko, and E White Pine Counties D1 (Moderate Drought): Parts of Eastern Elko, Northern Elko, E Eureka, NE Nye, and White Pine Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Parts of Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, and northern Nye Counties {{DROUGHT_MONITOR}} Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for Northeast Nevada Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Western Humboldt County No Change: Elko, Eureka, East Humboldt, Lander, N Nye, and White Pine Counties. Drought Improved: None. {{DROUGHT_CHANGE_MAP}} Precipitation Nevada saw between 0% and 25% of normal Precipitation for the month. However, western Elko and eastern Humboldt Counties saw between 25% to 50% of normal precipitation. 30 Day precipitation estimates show that most of Nevada saw between 0.01” up to 0.50” of rainfall for the month. Only a small section of W Elko county saw between 0.5” and 1.00” {{PRECIPITATION}} Temperature Temperature departures for the last 7 days (center) show maximum temperatures for NV ranged from well above normal temperatures. 30 day departures (right) shows most of Nevada with well above normal maximum temperatures for NE Nevada. {{TEMPERATURE}} 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 most of Nevada, and below average for Far Eastern NV. Parts of central Humboldt, northern Elko, Eastern Elko, and eastern White Pine Counties show below normal to much Below normal streamflow. Agricultural Impacts Surface soil moisture had seen a recovery due to recent rains across northern and central Nevada that occurred in early fall. However, soil moisture profiles both shallow and root zone show drier than normal conditions across most of the state. Crop moisture show near normal and Crop-CASMA show above normal moisture for N Nye, and S White Pine. 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. Fire conditions are normal across Nevada, although fire restrictions remain in place. Other Impacts Snow Drought conditions are evident for all elevations 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 February 09 - 16 period show that N Elko, E Elko, E Humboldt, and E White Pine Counties are below normal in the 10-24 percentile class. Basins in far Eastern Elko, and central Humboldt show Much below normal streamflow in the >10 percentile class. Basins in C Elko, SW Elko, Eureka, W Lander, W Humboldt, E Humboldt, N Nye, and W White Pine Counties are seeing normal streamflow conditions in the 25-75 percentile class. Image: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC8 map valid 2 16 2026 {{HYDROLOGIC}} Agricultural Impacts Calculated shallow soil moisture is below normal for this time of year across most of Nevada. With most crop indicators out of season. Deeper root zone soil moisture deficits persist across northern Nevada. While surplus is shown of N Nye. Vegetation indices (wild/crop-not shown) across the state still shows moderate drought stress where still active. Crop moisture index for NV shows near normal conditions. Soil moisture ranking (not shown) across most of northern and central Nevada now resides near average. However other indicators show deficits. {{AGRICULTURE}} 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 the rest of February, and March 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 {{FIRE_WEATHER}} Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Wetting precipitation (>0.10”) is forecast for areas in Nevada for the next 7 days through late February. There is a 50%-60% chance for above normal precipitation for eastern NV, and 60%-70% above normal chance for W NV, for the next 6 to 10 days (not shown). There is a 40%-50% chance for above normal precipitation for NV for the following 8 to 14 days for late January (not shown). {{QPF_7_DAY}} 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. {{OUTLOOK_8_14_DAY}} Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Monthly precipitation outlook for Nevada favors a 33%-40% chance of below normal for most of E and N Nevada. A 40%-50% chance for below normal precipitation for C and W NV. Monthly Temperature outlook for Nevada indicates equal chances for W NV. A 40%-50% chance for above normal temperatures for W NV, and N NV. As well as a 50%-60% chance for above normal temperatures for central NV. Seasonal outlooks (Feb/Mar/Apr) - (not shown) favor a 40%-50% chance for above normal temperatures for NV. Precipitation wise equal chances is favored for N NV which C NV show a 33%-40% chance for below normal. {{OUTLOOK_MONTHLY}} Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Monthly drought outlook (not shown) shows that drought conditions are expected to continue for eastern NV. Seasonal drought outlook also shows that drought conditions are favored to continue for much of eastern Nevada. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook {{OUTLOOK_DROUGHT_SEASONAL}}