Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid January, 16, 2025 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated February, 20, 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/LBF/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates. Drought has expanded slightly across western and north central Nebraska over the past month. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): No counties in western and north central Nebraska. D3 (Extreme Drought): Northern portions of Sheridan, northwestern Cherry County and around Valentine Nebraska. D2 (Severe Drought):Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Holt, Boyd, Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, Blaine Thomas, Hooker, Grant, Arthur, Mcpherson, Lincoln, Logan and Custer. D1 (Moderate Drought): Garden, Arthur, Deuel, Keith, McPherson, Lincoln, Custer, Frontier and Hayes D0: (Abnormally Dry): Deuel, Arthur, Keith, Hayes, Frontier, Perkins, Chase and Lincoln. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for The High Plains Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Sheridan, Cherry, Deuel, Garden, Keith, Lincoln, McPherson, Perkins, Chase, Hayes and Frontier Counties. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Boyd, Holt, Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, Blaine, Thomas, Hooker, Grant, Garden, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln and Frontier Counties. Drought Improved: No areas. Precipitation Most locations across most of western and north central Nebraska saw less than a tenth of an inch of precipitation over the past 30 days. Slightly higher amounts of precipitation occurred in the Pine Ridge and portions of north central Nebraska. Temperature Over the past week, temperatures have been well below normal across all of western and north central Nebraska. Over the past 30 days, above normal temperatures were present over all western and north central Nebraska. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts “There are no known impacts at this time” Agricultural Impacts “There are no known impacts at this time” Fire Hazard Impacts Local fire partners have indicated that fine fuels (grasses) remain cured in western and southwestern Nebraska and will burn given the right wind and humidity conditions. Other Impacts “There are no known impacts at this time” Mitigation Actions “None reported” Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow across the northern half of the area was normal to above normal for this time of year and was high in the central Sandhills. Flows in the Medicine Creek, Frenchman, North Platte River and Stinking Water Creeks’ are below normal for this time of year. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 1 15 2025 Agricultural Impacts The crop moisture index across western and north central Nebraska, is excessively dry currently. Locations over southwestern Nebraska are near normal. Fire Hazard Impacts Significant wildland fire potential is near normal for this time of year. However, fire partners have indicated that one hour fuels are cured in western and southwestern Nebraska and will burn given favorable wind and humidity conditions. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast The precipitation forecast over the next 7 days calls for near zero precipitation across most of western and north central Nebraska. For the eastern Nebraska Panhandle, up to a tenth of an inch is possible over the next 7 days. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook. Rapid onset of drought is not anticipated across western and north central Nebraska. Over the next couple of weeks. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The outlook for February calls for equal chances for above, below or near normal temperatures south of a line from Merriman to Taylor. North of this line, below normal temperatures are forecast. The precipitation outlook for February calls for equal chances for above, below or near normal precipitation. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage For the remainder of September, drought conditions are forecast to expand over north central Nebraska. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook