Majority of counties
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor did see some improvement in conditions, which included a reduction in the area of the state that was in extreme drought (D3). However, as shown in Figure 1, a majority of counties have been in D3 at some point this year.
Figure 1. Counties that have been in extreme drought (D3) at some point in 2026 on the U.S. Drought Monitor
Recent precipitation
The month of April has brought good moisture for much of eastern Nebraska and parts of central Nebraska. The southwestern quadrant have largely missed out on better moisture and some of the southwest Panhandle has still not seen measurable precipitation yet this month. Degradation on the USDM will likely resume in the western half of the state soon if moisture remains below to well below average, which is likely over the next few weeks.
Figure 2. MRMS estimated precipitation and observed amounts (bold numbers).
Soil moisture still very short in western Nebraska
Precipitation late last week brought some decent recharge to southeastern Nebraska and moisture is generally adequate in this part of the state. But most of the western part of the state is still short to very short on top soil moisture.
Figure 3. Soil moisture percentiles from SPORTLIS
Snow water equivalent well below historic minimum
The median snow water equivalent from the SNOTEL sites in the North Platte basin continues to be well below the historic minimum and is 15" below the historic median. The snow water equivalent in this region now is typical for early to-Mid June.
