Drought Information Statement for Northeast Nevada Valid: May 9, 2025 Issued By: WFO Elko, NV Contact Information: nws.elko@noaa.gov This product will be updated June 6, 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 central Nevada Drought conditions unchanged for parts of northern Nevada. Drought conditions unchanged for N Nye and White Pine Counties 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 SC Nye, and E White Pine. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of W White Pine, N Nye, SE Elko, and far SW Lander Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of SW Elko, S Lander, NW White Pine, and S Eureka 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: None. No Change: N Nye, White Pine, S Eureka, S Lander, and SE Elko Counties. Drought Improved: None Link to graphic: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ChangeMaps.aspx Precipitation Portions of Humboldt, N Eureka, and N Lander Counties in Nevada has seen up to 150% of normal Precipitation for the month of April. Portions of N Nye, White Pine, W Humboldt, Elko, S Eureka, and S Lander Counties have seen below normal precipitation. As most areas have seen only 0-25% to 25%-50% of normal April rainfall. 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 (left) show maximum temperatures normal to just above normal for far northern NV and cooler than normal for central NV. 30 day departures (right) shows Nevada with above normal maximum temperatures across the state. 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 below average for this time of year even with periodic warmer temperatures leading to higher elevation snow melt. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has been drier than normal across central Nevada with near normal conditions across northern Nevada, and northwest Nevada in particular. Rangeland and grassland indicators are out of season. Fire Hazard Impacts Wildland fire risk resides at normal for this time of year. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow averages for the Apr 05 - May 08 period show that the majority of NW Nevada remains within average streamflow in the 25-75 percentile class. While central and E NV are below normal at 10-24 percentile class. Most basins are at or below normal, while basins in far E White Pine county show much below normal streamflow conditions. Image: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC8 map valid 05 08 2025 Graphic: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?m=pa07d_nwc&r=nv&w=map Agricultural Impacts Calculated soil moisture is generally near normal for this time of year across most of northern Nevada. Soil moisture deficits across east-central Nevada persist. Modest improvements in west-central NV are noted within the last couple of weeks however thanks to recent precipitation across the area. Crop moisture index at the end of the 2024 growing season for NV showed moisture deficits. Preseason soil moisture ranking across northern Nevada resides generally near average, while east-central NV resides below normal. (CMI will update at the start of the 2025 growing season.) 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 No change to fire hazards have occured. Fuels are currently not critical across northern and central Nevada. There are currently no significant wildfires burning within the forecast area. Significant wildland fire potential for May is indicated to be normal. 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 Precipitation is currently forecast for much of Nevada for the next 7 days through mid May. Widespread precipitation is possible for the week ahead, with near normal precipitation forecast beyond the next 7 days. 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 central Nevada. Other hazards such as severe flooding are not expected in the next few weeks. However, with precipitation and seasonal snowmelt in the forecast, rises on area rivers and streams will continue with locales possible moving into action or minor flood stage, particularly on faster responding streams and creeks. 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 a 33%-40% chance to a 40%-50% chance for above normal precipitation for NV. Monthly Temperature outlook for Nevada indicates 33% - 40% probability of above normal temperatures for far NE Nevada with equal chance probability of either above or below normal temperatures elsewhere across the state. Seasonal outlooks (May/Jun/Jul - not shown) favor a 40% to 50% chance for below normal precipitation, and a 60%-70% chance for above normal temperatures for much of N and central NV, and a 50% to 60% chance for W NV. 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 end or improve for much of central NV except for the SE corners of N Nye and White Pine counties. Seasonal drought outlook also shows that drought conditions are favored to end or Improve for much of central NV except for the SE corners of N Nye and White Pine counties. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook https://www.drought.gov/forecasts