Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid March, 20, 2025 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated April, 17, 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 conditions have improved some over the northern Sandhills in 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 and northwestern Cherry County. D2 (Severe Drought):Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Holt, Boyd, Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, Blaine Thomas, Hooker, Grant, Arthur, Garden, Mcpherson, Lincoln, Logan and Custer. D1 (Moderate Drought): Garden, Arthur, Grant, Cherry, Hooker, Deuel, Keith, McPherson, Lincoln, Custer, Frontier and Hayes D0: (Abnormally Dry): Keith, Hayes, 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: Deuel and Keith 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, Frontier, Hayes, Chase and Perkins Counties. Drought Improved: Cherry, Brown, Hooker, Grant and Arthur Counties. Precipitation Precipitation amounts for the past 30 days were an inch or better over north central Nebraska into eastern Custer County. Locations over the western Sandhills and SW Nebraska had precipitation amounts between a tenth and half an inch. Below normal precipitation occurred in the western Sandhills and SW Nebraska. Above normal elsewhere. Temperature Over the past week, temperatures have been well below normal across all of western and north central Nebraska. Numerous record low temperatures occurred on the 19th and 20th of February. Over the past 30 days, below 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. Little to no spring greenup has been noted across the area. 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. Flows in the southern Loup and Platte river system are below normal for this time of year. Flows in the Medicine Creek, Frenchman, and Stinking Water Creeks’ are much below normal for this time of year. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 3 19 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. Little to no spring greenup of grasses has occurred yet. 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 locations in far SW Nebraska and along the South Dakota/Nebraska border, could see up to a tenth of an inch of precipitation over the next week. 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 April calls for equal chances for above, below or near normal temperatures. The precipitation outlook for April calls for equal chances for above, below or near normal precipitation north of a line from Oshkosh to Maywood. South of this line, below normal precipitation is forecast. 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