Drought Information Statement for Northeast Nevada Valid: March 5, 2025 Issued By: WFO Elko, NV Contact Information: nws.elko@noaa.gov This product will be updated April 5, 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, while drought has improved for NW 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): Portions of SC Nye, N White Pine, E White Pine, C Eureka, C Lander, and SE Elko Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of SW White Pine. S Lander, S Eureka, N Nye, and Eastern Elko Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): W Elko, N Elko, N Lander, and N Eureka 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: 2 Class Degradation for N White Pine, and central Eureka Counties. 1 Class Degradation for NE Nye, White Pine, S Lander, S Eureka, and SE Elko Counties. No Change: Portions of Elko, N Landern, N Eureka, and NW Nye Counties. Drought Improved: Portions of SE Humboldt, and SW Elko Counties. Link to graphic: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ChangeMaps.aspx Precipitation Portions of Elko, N Lander, and N Eureka Counties in Nevada has seen up to 150% of normal Precipitation for the month of February. Portions of N Nye, White Pine, S Lander, S Eureka, Humboldt, as well as far NE and SE Elko Counties have seen below normal precipitation. As most areas have seen only 0-25% to 25% to 50% of normal February rainfall. 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 warmer than average across the forecast area. 30 day departures (right) show much of central NV warmer than normal. With far northern NV near to or slightly warmer than normal. 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 above average due warm temperatures leading to mid elevation snow melt. 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 northern Nevada show above normal flows due to snow melt, while most other basins in northern Nevada show near normal stream flow conditions. Image: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC8 map valid 02 25 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 northern Nevada. Soil moisture deficits across central Nevada persist. Modest improvements are noted within the last couple of weeks however thanks to recent precipitation actress the area. Crop moisture index shows that central Nevada improved slightly (but remains relatively dry) compared to previous weeks. CMI across northern Nevada resides generally near average. 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 April 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 Light to moderate precipitation is currently forecast for the next 7 days through early March. It is expected that additional weather events will move in after March 6th. Widespread moderate accumulation of precipitation look to occur over much of the region for the week ahead, with additional events forecast beyond 7 days. 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 much of Nevada. Other hazards such as severe flooding are not expected in the next few weeks. However, with precipitation and seasonal snowmelt in the forecast, rises on area rivers and streams will continue with locales likely to move into action or minor flood stage, particularly on faster responding streams and creeks. 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 below normal temperatures for northwestern Nevada with equal chance probability of either above or below normal temperatures elsewhere. Seasonal outlooks (Feb/Mar/Apr - not shown) favor a 33% to 40% chance for below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures for NE Nevada. 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. Seasonal drought outlook show that drought conditions are favored to develop across N Elko, SW Elko, C Elko, N Lander, and N Eureka Counties. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook https://www.drought.gov/forecasts