The entire state of Nebraska is now experiencing some level of dryness or drought as conditions across Nebraska have deteriorated at a rapid pace in recent months, according to the latest data released April 2.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows 100% of Nebraska is now classified as abnormally dry or worse, compared to about 91% at the end of December.
Areas in moderate to exceptional drought (D1–D4) now cover nearly 98% of the state, up from just under 40% three months ago. More concerning for producers, severe drought and worse conditions have expanded dramatically.
SEVERE DROUGHT AND WORSE
The most intense drought categories are growing especially fast. Extreme drought (D3) now impacts 43% of Nebraska, roughly doubling from about 22% just one week earlier. At the start of the water year last fall, no part of the state was in extreme or exceptional drought.
The Drought Severity and Coverage Index, a broad measure of drought intensity, has climbed to 327 – up 30 points in just a week and more than doubling since late December.
A year ago, while nearly all of Nebraska was considered at least abnormally dry, far less of the state was experiencing severe drought conditions. The sharp increase this year is raising concerns for farmers and ranchers as planting season begins, with potential impacts on soil moisture, pasture conditions and water supplies heading into the warmer months.
