Drought Information Statement for Western and Central North Dakota Valid April 10, 2025 Issued By: WFO Bismarck, North Dakota Contact Information: w-bis.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated in May 2025. See all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Visit: https://www.weather.gov/BIS/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Visit: https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/?dews_region=41 for regional drought status updates. Severe to Extreme Drought conditions are ongoing across western North Dakota. Abnormally Dry to Moderate Drought conditions extend across parts of central North Dakota. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for North Dakota Drought intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Parts of western North Dakota, including McKenzie and Dunn Counties, extending into parts of Billings and Mountrail Counties D2 (Severe Drought): Most of western and into parts of central North Dakota, from Divide to Renville Counties southward through Mercer County and western Morton, Hettinger, and Adams Counties D1 (Moderate Drought): Parts of central North Dakota through the far south central and southeast D0: (Abnormally Dry): Parts of central and eastern North Dakota Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for North Dakota Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: In all counties west of Highway 83, along with the southeastern corner of North Dakota. No Change: [State each county or region within WFO region where no class change occurred. If nowhere is under no change, remove subheading.] Drought Improved: [State each county or region within WFO region where a class improvement occurred. If nowhere is under a class improvement, remove subheading.] Precipitation Recent precipitation has favored central and eastern North Dakota, with western North Dakota receiving well below normal amounts of moisture. This lack of moisture has left water supply features lower than normal, delayed normal spring greening of the countryside, and produced an unusually active spring wildfire season. Temperature Image Captions: Left image - Average Temperatures across North Dakota. Right image - Departure from Normal Temperatures across North Dakota. Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. Data over the past 30 days ending September, 27, 2023 Summarize conditions/impacts here Link to HPRCC: hprcc.unl.edu Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Dry soils will continue to minimize runoff from modest precipitation events. Nominal runoff will keep streams at lower than desired levels for the foreseeable future. Agricultural Impacts Very dry conditions contributed to the rapid spread of wildfires. Losses to forage, livestock, machinery, farmsteads and outbuildings were reported by local and state emergency management. Fire Hazard Impacts Dry conditions have contributed to an unusually lengthy and active spring wildfire season. Other Impacts Loss of hay reserves and forage due to wildfires continues to contribute to localized hay shortages. Mitigation Actions Burn restrictions are in place for many counties. One should check with their local authorities for specifics in their area. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow tends to be in the lower end of normal, to well below normal for this time of the year. Some water supply features are not expected to fill this year. Lower than normal water levels will likely impact ecological health of streams, including the critical spawning season for many native fish species. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 10 April, 2025 Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture deficiencies exist across most of North Dakota. A lack of soil moisture has delayed the normal spring green-up season in western North Dakota, even in areas where soil temperatures are conducive to plant growth. Fire Hazard Impacts Summarize conditions/impacts here Image Caption: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for August 2023 Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Image Caption: North Dakota Fire Declarations and Burn Restrictions from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services. The latest ND Burn Ban Map is available here. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Summarize conditions here Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Summarize conditions and impacts here Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The late spring outlooks for April, May, and June put the region in the Equal Chances category for Above Normal, Near Normal, or Below Normal temperatures and precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Links to the latest: CPC Monthly Drought Outlook CPC Seasonal Drought Outlook After remaining fairly constant through winter, the onset of warmer temperatures and lower than normal precipitation suggests drought designations are likely to persist, if not worsen and expand.