This product will be updated January 3, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at drought.gov/drought-information-statements Please visit weather.gov/Omaha/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit drought.gov/drought-status-updates?dews_region=41 for regional drought status updates Drought Information Statement for Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa Valid December 3rd, 2024 Issued By: NWS Omaha/Valley Contact Information: nws.omaha@noaa.gov or 1-800-452-9074 A CHANGE IN FORTUNE BRINGS SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL AND WIDESPREAD IMPROVEMENT TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS DROUGHT REMOVAL IS FORECAST ACROSS THE STATE OF IOWA 1 U.S. Drought Monitor The area was drought free in mid-July. Things deteriorated quickly through the fall, but November has brought welcomed improvement. Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): Small portions of northeast Nebraska including parts of Antelope County. These areas are the few that have recorded deterioration over the past six weeks. D2 (Severe Drought): Significant rainfall over the past six weeks leaves severe drought relegated to northeast Nebraska. D1 (Moderate Drought): The vast majority of the eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. D0 (Abnormally Dry): The best conditions are in the southeast corner of the forecast area where “abnormally dry” conditions have been declared. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change: Drought Worsened: Parts of far northeast Nebraska and southwest Iowa. No Change: Most of the area. Drought Improved: Colorado was one of the only locations in the entire country that enjoyed improved conditions this week. Changes are more pronounced on longer timelines: View the Change Maps Over the Past 30 Days Precipitation After historically a historically dry September and October, November came through with some much needed precipitation. Many locations have recorded 150-300% of normal precipitation over the month. Lincoln recorded its third wettest November on record; Omaha its seventh. Warm conditions persist. Lincoln, Norfolk, and Omaha were all well above normal for the month of November. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts Low precipitation this fall has lead to concern about aquatic wildlife if streamflows are low during winter. Fish could be at risk when waters freeze. (1380KCIM.com) Agricultural Impacts Drought poses a problem for Christmas tree farmer in southeast Nebraska. He says half died from the drought. (KLKN-TV.com) Electric fences are not working as well during drought. (FarmAndDairy.com) Drought conditions have made it hard to plant and maintain young trees planted to replace those destroyed in the 2020 derecho. (KCRG.com) Fire Hazard Impacts Burn bans across the state of Iowa and in Douglas County, NE have been lifted thanks to the cooler weather and the recent moisture. Other Impacts None Mitigation Actions Shenandoah, IA remains in stage 4 water restrictions. (KCCI.com) Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Streamflow is closer to normal over the northern half of the area. The recent wet spell has improved streamflow across most of the area. Agricultural Impacts It’s been a long time since soil moisture has looked as good as it does in this part of the country. This is due in part to the typical dryness of the winter season. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Improvement has been noted over the past six weeks. The 3-month drought outlook calls for drought to remain through at least February for most of the Central Plains. Along and east of the Missouri River, improvement and drought removal is forecast.