This product will be updated only when drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at drought.gov/drought-information-statements Please visit weather.gov/Omaha/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit drought.gov/drought-status-updates?dews_region=41 for regional drought status updates Drought Information Statement for Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa Valid July 31st, 2025 Issued By: NWS Omaha/Valley Contact Information: nws.omaha@noaa.gov or 1-800-452-9074 SUMMER 2025 BROUGHT WETTER CONDITIONS THAN ANTICIPATED SEVERE DROUGHT (D2) HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AREA DUE TO RECENT SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL 1 U.S. Drought Monitor The area was drought free in mid-July. Things deteriorated quickly through the fall with very little change since late November. Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Extreme drought was introduced to the area in May 2025 and then removed mid-June 2025 due to significant rainfall. D2 (Severe Drought): Severe drought was completely removed from the area on July 15, 2025. D1 (Moderate Drought): The only significant real estate in this area still considered to be in drought is a portion of southeast Nebraska. D0 (Abnormally Dry): The periphery of the moderate drought area is considered “moderately dry”. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change: Drought Worsened: None No Change: Most of southeast Nebraska, especially along I-80. Drought Improved: Far northeast Nebraska, far southeast Nebraska, far southwest Iowa. Changes are more pronounced on longer timelines: View the Change Maps Over the Past 30 Days Precipitation A wet July was welcomed across eastern Nebraska and Iowa, bringing an end to much of the drought designation across the area. It did bring occasional flooding concerns. Out of 133 years of record keeping, only six Julys were wetter in Norfolk, NE than July 2025. Drought improvement spilled into the Dakotas, Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado, Minnesota, etc. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Groundwater levels in Nebraska generally dipped in 2024. Southeast Nebraska groundwater levels dropped 10-15 feet compared to 2023 according to a UNL study. (NebraskaPublicMedia.org) Agricultural Impacts A Falls City ag producer says recent rainfall has improved pasture conditions. (BrownfieldAgNews.com) The US cattle herd hit a new low on July 1st… the lowest mid-year count on record since 1973. It’s been attributed to high costs and drought. (USDA.gov) Fire Hazard Impacts Widespread burn bans earlier this season have been lifted in Nebraska and Iowa. Other Impacts Drought is blamed for the death of a 380-year-old burr oak tree at Ponca State Park in northeast Nebraska - one of the state’s oldest. (NebraskaExaminer.com) Mitigation Actions As of 7/31/25, Shenandoah, IA remains in stage 4 water restrictions. (KMALand.com) On 7/31/25, Auburn, NE moved from stage 3 water emergency to stage 2 as eight of the ten wells of the Public Works show rebounding levels of water. (Auburn.NE.gov) Residents in several western Iowa communities are back under the strictest level of mandatory water restrictions: "Level RED". Those communities include Avoca, Persia, Panama, Portsmouth, Westphalia, Kirkman, Tennant, Earling, Exira and Brayton. (RWRWA.org) Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts As is reflected in the drought monitor, Iowa’s hydrologic conditions are much closer to normal than those recorded in Nebraska. Despite being below normal - especially in the south - both states have reflected improved conditions through improved streamflow. Agricultural Impacts Both measurements of agricultural moisture have improved dramatically over the past 90 days. Drought Outlook Longer outlooks for eastern Nebraska and western Iowa suggest no strong lean toward wetter/drier conditions or warmer/cooler conditions. For that reason, drought conditions are not expected to improve or deteriorate in this part of the country.