Drought Information Statement for Northeast Nevada Valid: April 8, 2025 Issued By: WFO Elko, NV Contact Information: nws.elko@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 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 central Nevada Areas of D1 and D2 drought have been reduced across portions of central and northeastern Nevada. Drought conditions unchanged for N Nye and White Pine Counties 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, and far SE Elko Counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of W White Pine, N Nye, and SE Elko Counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of SW Elko, S Lander, NW White Pine, and S 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: None. No Change: Portions of SE Elko, White Pine, and N Nye Counties. Drought Improved: 2 Class improvement: NE Elko county, and C Eureka County. 1 Class improvement: Eastern Elko, Eureka, and Lander County Link to graphic: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/Maps/ChangeMaps.aspx Precipitation Portions of SW Elko, Lander, NW Nye, and Eureka Counties in Nevada has seen up to 150% of normal Precipitation for the month of March. Portions of NE Nye, White Pine, Humboldt, as well as far N and SE Elko Counties have seen below normal precipitation. As most areas have seen only 0-25% to 25% to 50% of normal March 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 much warmer than average across the forecast area. 30 day departures (right) shows Nevada with near normal to cooler than normal maximum temperatures across the state. 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 Mar 29 - Apr 04 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 NW Elko county show above normal flows due to snow melt, while most other basins in far E White Pine county show low streamflow conditions. Image: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC8 map valid 04 04 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 most of northern Nevada. Soil moisture deficits across east-central Nevada persist. Modest improvements in west-central NV are noted within the last couple of weeks however thanks to recent precipitation across the area. Crop moisture index at the end of the 2024 growing season for NV showed moisture deficits. Preseason soil moisture ranking across northern Nevada resides generally near average, while east-central NV resides below normal. (CMI will update at the start of the 2025 growing season.) 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 precipitation is currently forecast for the far northern part of Nevada for the next 7 days through early April. Widespread precipitation is not expected to occur for the week ahead, with below normal precipitation 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 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 for northern NV and a 33%-40% chance of below normal precipitation for C NV. Monthly Temperature outlook for Nevada indicates 33% - 40% probability of above normal temperatures for central Nevada with equal chance probability of either above or below normal temperatures elsewhere. Seasonal outlooks (Apr/May/Jun - not shown) favor a 40% to 50% chance for below normal precipitation, and a 33%-40% above normal temperatures for far N NV, and a 40% to 50% chance for the rest of N NV and C NV. Graphics link: https://www.drought.gov/forecasts Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Monthly drought outlook shows that drought conditions are expected to persist in central and southern Nevada. Seasonal drought outlook also shows that drought conditions are favored to persist for central and southern Nevada. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook https://www.drought.gov/forecasts