Drought Information Statement for Northeast Nevada Valid: September 8, 2025 Issued By: WFO Elko, NV Contact Information: nws.elko@noaa.gov This product will be updated October 13, 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 NE Nevada. Drought conditions removed for a part of far N Humboldt 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 N Elko, E Elko, and E-central White Pine Counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of NE Elko, E Elko, N Nye, and White Pine Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of C Elko, S Eureka, S Lander, and far NW Nye Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of W Elko, SW Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, 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: 2 Class degradation: far SE Elko County. 1 Class degradation: SW Elko, N Elko, S Eureka, S Lander, far N Nye, western and central White Pine Counties No Change: W Elko, C Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, C-N Nye, SE White Pine Counties. Drought Improved: Far NW Humboldt County 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 August, thanks to Monsoonal activity for the last week of the month. While Southeastern NV saw continued dry conditions receiving only 0 to 25% of normal. 30 Day precipitation estimates show that portions of northern and western Nevada has received between 0.5” and 2.00” of rainfall for the month of August. With Western Humboldt and SE Nevada pocket across N NV seeing between 0.01” and 0.5”. 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 above normal, while central Nye County saw near to to slightly below normal temperatures. 30 day departures (right) shows most of Nevada with near normal maximum temperatures across much of 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, or below average for this time of year. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has been drier than normal across northern and central Nevada, with development of vegetation stresses evident. However recent rains have provided slight improvement for portions of N and western Nevada. Fire Hazard Impacts Cured Fuels have lead to elevated to critical wildland fire risk for Western and Central Nevada for this time of year. However recent rains have improved FM for N Nye, S Eureka and S Lander 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 September 01 - 07 period show that far eastern Nevada, as well as N Eureka, N Lander, and SE Humboldt Counties seeing below normal streamflow in the 10-24 percentile class. While the rest of NE Nevada seeing normal stream flow in the 25-75 percentile class. Basins in far E Elko, and far E White Pine Counties shows Low, to much below normal streamflow conditions in the 0-10 percentile class. Image: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC8 map valid 09 07 2025 Graphic: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?m=pa07d_nwc&r=nv&w=map Agricultural Impacts Calculated soil moisture is below, to near normal for this time of year across most of Nevada thanks to recent rains. Soil moisture deficits across central Nevada persist. Significant degradation across NW NV has been noted within the last few months. 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 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 Elevated/Critical fire hazards exist for Northern and Central Nevada Fuels have cured, and are “Critical” for most zones in Northern and central Nevada. Fire weather zones 426 and 427 have reverted to near critical as recent rains have increased fuel moisture There are have been several significant wildfires within the forecast area over the past month. Significant wildland fire potential for September is indicated to be above normal for northern Nevada, while near normal conditions are expected for central and eastern 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 is currently forecast for much of western and northern Nevada for the next 7 days through mid September. While near normal precipitation is favored for northern and central Nevada, while above normal precipitation is favored for eastern NV for the following 8 to 14 days in late September (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.. Monthly Temperature outlook for Nevada indicates 33%-40% probability of above normal temperatures for far NE Nevada, with an equal chance for above or below normal temperatures forecast for the rest of the state. Seasonal outlooks (Aug/Sep/Oct) - not shown) favor a 33% to 40% of below normal precipitation for E NV. As well as, a 40% to 50% chance for above normal temperatures for western and central NV. As well as a 50%-60% chance for above temperatures across eastern 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