Drought Information Statement for Western and North Central Nebraska Valid December, 19, 2024 Issued By: NWS-North Platte, NE Contact Information: This product will be updated January, 16, 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. No changes in the severity of drought conditions over 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 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, McPherson, Lincoln, Custer. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Garden, Deuel, Arthur, Keith, Hayes, Frontier 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: No areas. No Change: Sheridan, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Boyd, Holt, Wheeler, Garfield, Loup, Blaine, Thomas, Hooker, Garden, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Deuel, Keith, Lincoln and Frontier. Drought Improved: No areas. Precipitation Locations across most of western and north central Nebraska saw little to no precipitation over the past 30 days. Over eastern Boyd, Holt, Garfield, Wheeler and eastern Loup county, precipitation was around a half an inch for the past month. Temperature Over the past week, temperatures have been well above normal across most of western and north central Nebraska. Temps were near normal over far northern Nebraska. Over the past 30 days, above normal temperatures were present over all but portions of 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. 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 12 18 2024 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 northwestern into far northern Nebraska. For the remainder of the forecast area, 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 January calls for equal chances for above, below or near normal temperatures. The precipitation outlook for January calls for above normal precipitation west of a line from Ogallala to Valentine. East of this line there are 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