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Current U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Nebraska

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. This map shows drought conditions across Nebraska using a five-category system, from Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions to Exceptional Drought (D4). The USDM is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA, and NOAA. Learn more.

The following state-specific drought impacts were compiled by the National Drought Mitigation Center. While these impacts are not exhaustive, they can help provide a clearer picture of drought in Nebraska. 

D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Rangeland conditions decline
99.6
of NE
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Pasture and crop growth are stunted
  • Surface water levels decline
98.6
of NE
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crop yields are low; ethanol production decreases and plants begin to close
  • Fires increase; firework restrictions are possible
  • Well levels are dropping; mandatory surface water irrigation restrictions are implemented; water use is high
78.6
of NE
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Hay is scarce and expensive; producers are selling cattle early and culling; horses are abandoned
  • Fish kills claim thousands of fish; drought-tolerant trees are dying
  • Water temperatures are high; Platte River is dry in sections; water recreation is limited
34.0
of NE
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Crop germination is stunted; high levels of nitrate are found in corn
  • Wildfire season is destructive and costly
  • Municipality water supply is low; trade navigation is hindered on major rivers due to low flow and obstructions
5.1
of NE
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Rangeland conditions decline
99.6
of NE
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Pasture and crop growth are stunted
  • Surface water levels decline
98.6
of NE
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crop yields are low; ethanol production decreases and plants begin to close
  • Fires increase; firework restrictions are possible
  • Well levels are dropping; mandatory surface water irrigation restrictions are implemented; water use is high
78.6
of NE
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Hay is scarce and expensive; producers are selling cattle early and culling; horses are abandoned
  • Fish kills claim thousands of fish; drought-tolerant trees are dying
  • Water temperatures are high; Platte River is dry in sections; water recreation is limited
34.0
of NE
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Crop germination is stunted; high levels of nitrate are found in corn
  • Wildfire season is destructive and costly
  • Municipality water supply is low; trade navigation is hindered on major rivers due to low flow and obstructions
5.1
of NE
(D4)
D0 - Abnormally Dry
  • Rangeland conditions decline
100.0
of NE
(D0–D4)
D1 - Moderate Drought
  • Pasture and crop growth are stunted
  • Surface water levels decline
99.0
of NE
(D1–D4)
D2 - Severe Drought
  • Crop yields are low; ethanol production decreases and plants begin to close
  • Fires increase; firework restrictions are possible
  • Well levels are dropping; mandatory surface water irrigation restrictions are implemented; water use is high
79.1
of NE
(D2–D4)
D3 - Extreme Drought
  • Hay is scarce and expensive; producers are selling cattle early and culling; horses are abandoned
  • Fish kills claim thousands of fish; drought-tolerant trees are dying
  • Water temperatures are high; Platte River is dry in sections; water recreation is limited
40.1
of NE
(D3–D4)
D4 - Exceptional Drought
  • Crop germination is stunted; high levels of nitrate are found in corn
  • Wildfire season is destructive and costly
  • Municipality water supply is low; trade navigation is hindered on major rivers due to low flow and obstructions
9.2
of NE
(D4)
1,812,400
people in Nebraska are affected by drought
73
counties with USDA disaster designations
3rd
wettest January was in 2023, over the past 129 years
3rd
wettest year to date was in 2023, over the past 129 years

Explore Drought Conditions by City and County

Summary

View up-to-date drought conditions down to the city and county level, including temperature, and precipitation conditions, key drought indicators, outlooks, historical conditions, and water supply, agriculture, and public health maps.

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Drought in Nebraska from 2000–Present

The U.S. Drought Monitor started in 2000. Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in Nebraska lasted 348 weeks beginning on February 5, 2002, and ending on September 30, 2008. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of October 2, 2012, where D4 affected 77.61% of Nebraska land.

The U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) is a national map released every Thursday, showing parts of the U.S. that are in drought. The USDM relies on drought experts to synthesize the best available data and work with local observers to interpret the information. The USDM also incorporates ground truthing and information about how drought is affecting people, via a network of more than 450 observers across the country, including state climatologists, National Weather Service staff, Extension agents, and hydrologists. Learn more.

Time Period (Years): to