Drought Information Statement for Northeast Nevada Valid: February 3, 2025 Issued By: WFO Elko, NV Contact Information: nws.elko@noaa.gov This product will be updated March 3, 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/lkn/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates. Abnormally dry conditions continue across Nevada Areas of D1 and D2 drought have expanded across portions of central and eastern Nevada Help doc to create outlook: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PEq2BFBTNCuCWiFbJr6MLmOICnPUD7sCuQKwyHDnaBg/edit?tab=t.0 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for the Western U.S. Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None. D3 (Extreme Drought): None. D2 (Severe Drought): Southern two thirds of northern Nye county. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of far Northern Nye, Eastern White Pine, and Eastern Elko Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Elko, Eureka, Lander, and White Pine Counties. As well as small sections of SE Humboldt, and NE Nye Counties Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map for the Western U.S. Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Drought degradation occurred across portions of eastern Nye, eastern White Pine, and southeastern Elko Counties (yellow). No Change: Eureka, Lander, White Pine, Humboldt, and Elko Counties. Drought Improved: None. Link to graphic: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ChangeMaps.aspx Precipitation Most of northern and central Nevada have received minimal precipitation through the month of January. Most locations have seen between 0% to 25% of normal precipitation for January, while central parts of Lander, Eureka, and western Elko Counties have seen up to 25% to 50%, with a few spots getting up to 75% of normal precipitation. Additional Resource: HPRCC (High Plains Regional Climate Center) Link to graphics: https://www.drought.gov/topics/temperature-precipitation Temperature Temperature departures for the last 7 days (left) show maximum temperatures generally near to below average across the forecast area. 30 day departures (right) show maximum temperatures near to, and warmer than average across the forecast area. Additional Resource: HPRCC (High Plains Regional Climate Center) Link to graphic: https://www.drought.gov/topics/temperature-precipitation Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Most streams and rivers continue to flow near average for this time of year though some sub-basins have begun to flow less than average to much less than average. Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has been drier than normal across central Nevada with near normal conditions across far northern Nevada, and northwest Nevada in particular. Rangeland and grassland indicators are out of season. Fire Hazard Impacts Wildland fire risk resides at normal for this time of year. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow averages for the Jan 23 - Jan 30 period show that the majority of northern and central Nevada remains within the 25-75 percentile class, which means average flows for this time of year. Sparse gauge network throughout central Nevada may not be capturing low flows on some area streams and over representing flows. Especially given the precipitation deficits and drought conditions that have mounted the last several months. Some basins across northeastern Nevada show much below normal conditions, while a few basins in north central Nevada show below normal stream flow conditions Image: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC8 map valid 01 30 2025 Graphic: https://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?m=pa07d_nwc&r=nv&w=map Agricultural Impacts Calculated soil moisture is generally near normal for this time of year across far northern Nevada. Soil moisture deficits across central Nevada have expanded north and east in area. Especially across east-central Nevada where precipitation deficits have persisted and worsened. Crop moisture index shows that Nevada remains drier than average with the weekly (Jan 25 - Jan 30) index showing excessively dry conditions across northern and central Nevada have expanded northward. SOIL MOISTURE LINK: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/soilmst/img/curr.w.rank.daily.gif Crop moisture index: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/regional_monitoring/cmi.gif but this had more up to date map: https://www.drought.gov/data-maps-tools/crop-moisture-index-cmi Fire Hazard Impacts No change to fire hazards have occured. Fuels are currently not critical across northern and central Nevada. There are currently no significant wildfires burning within the forecast area. Significant wildland fire potential for February is indicated to be normal. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center An Interactive Fire Restrictions Map for Nevada can be found at: https://www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Heavy precipitation is currently forecast through early February for the next 7 days. It is expected that additional weather events will move in after February 7th. Significant accumulations, will be focused across the northern third of Nevada. However central Nevada will see light precipitation totals, with minimal accumulations across northern Nye county. Link to graphic: https://www.drought.gov/forecasts Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook Rapid onset drought is not expected, although drought and abnormally dry conditions persist across Nevada. Other hazards such as flooding are not expected in the next few weeks. https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/threats/threats.php Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Monthly precipitation outlook for Nevada favors a equal chance probability of either above or below normal precipitation. Monthly Temperature outlook for Nevada indicates 33% - 40% probability of above normal temperatures for eastern Nevada. Seasonal outlooks (Feb/Mar/Apr - not shown) favor an equal chance of either above normal or below normal precipitation and temperature. Graphics link: https://www.drought.gov/forecasts Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Monthly and Seasonal drought outlooks show that drought conditions are expected to persist in central and southern Nevada. Monthly and Seasonal drought outlooks show that drought conditions are not favored to develop further across northern and central Nevada and may improve some across northern Nevada. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook https://www.drought.gov/forecasts