Is Lane County in a drought?
D0 Abnormally dry
No. Lane County is not in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 29, 2026, but 1.6% of it is abnormally dry (D0), the category before drought.
Map valid Sep 29, 2026, released Thursday, Oct 1, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Oct 8, 2026. Statewide, 46.4% of Kansas is in drought.
This week’s map
The Drought Monitor for Kansas, valid Sep 29, 2026. County lines are drawn in; the categories are the same as the national map.

- D0 Abnormally dry
- D1 Moderate drought
- D2 Severe drought
- D3 Extreme drought
- D4 Exceptional drought
Open the live map with the Drought Monitor
Map courtesy of the US Drought Monitor, NDMC-UNL, with USDA and NOAA. Original at droughtmonitor.unl.edu
This week's map, by category
Percent of Lane County in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 1.6%, D1 0%, D2 0%, D3 0%, D4 0%; none 98.4%.
| Category | This weekSep 29 | Last weekSep 22 | 3 months agoJun 30 | A year agoSep 30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse | 1.6% | 4.1% | 29% | 0% |
| D1 to D4 Moderate or worse | 0% | 0% | 9.1% | 0% |
| D2 to D4 Severe or worse | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| D3 to D4 Extreme or worse | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| D4 Exceptional drought | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| None | 98.4% | 95.9% | 71% | 100% |
The past year
Percent of Lane County in each category, week by week. Each color includes the worse categories drawn over it.
- D0 Abnormally dry
- D1 Moderate drought
- D2 Severe drought
- D3 Extreme drought
- D4 Exceptional drought
Every week in the chart
| Map | D0+ | D1+ | D2+ | D3+ | D4+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 29, 2026 | 1.6% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 22, 2026 | 4.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 15, 2026 | 4.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 8, 2026 | 4.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 1, 2026 | 20.9% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 25, 2026 | 20.9% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 18, 2026 | 21.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 11, 2026 | 21.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Aug 4, 2026 | 0.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 28, 2026 | 0.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 21, 2026 | 0.2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 14, 2026 | 0.2% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jul 7, 2026 | 28.7% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 30, 2026 | 29% | 9.1% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 23, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 8.8% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 16, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 11.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 9, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 11.5% | 0% | 0% |
| Jun 2, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 18.8% | 0% | 0% |
| May 26, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| May 19, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| May 12, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| May 5, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 21, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 14, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Apr 7, 2026 | 100% | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 31, 2026 | 100% | 88.4% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 24, 2026 | 100% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 17, 2026 | 89.5% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 10, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Mar 3, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 24, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 17, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 10, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Feb 3, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 27, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 20, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 13, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Jan 6, 2026 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 30, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 23, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 16, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 9, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 25, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 18, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 11, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Nov 4, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 28, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 21, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 14, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Oct 7, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Sep 30, 2025 | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Since 2000
Every weekly map of Lane County since January 2000.
- D0 Abnormally dry
- D1 Moderate drought
- D2 Severe drought
- D3 Extreme drought
- D4 Exceptional drought
Year by year
| Year | Worst category | Most in drought | Week of | Weeks with drought |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Apr 7 | 14 of 39 |
| 2025 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Apr 15 | 2 of 52 |
| 2024 | D2 Severe drought | 82.8% | Aug 20 | 32 of 53 |
| 2023 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 3 | 52 of 52 |
| 2022 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 4 | 52 of 52 |
| 2021 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Jan 5 | 15 of 52 |
| 2020 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | May 12 | 30 of 52 |
| 2019 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Dec 10 | 21 of 53 |
| 2018 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Feb 27 | 25 of 52 |
| 2017 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Jan 3 | 17 of 52 |
| 2016 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Apr 12 | 13 of 52 |
| 2015 | D1 Moderate drought | 58.3% | May 5 | 20 of 52 |
| 2014 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jan 7 | 52 of 52 |
| 2013 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Jan 1 | 53 of 53 |
| 2012 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Mar 13 | 52 of 52 |
| 2011 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jan 4 | 52 of 52 |
| 2010 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Nov 30 | 8 of 52 |
| 2009 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2008 | D1 Moderate drought | 98.4% | Apr 15 | 5 of 53 |
| 2007 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2006 | D2 Severe drought | 100% | Mar 14 | 41 of 52 |
| 2005 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2004 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jan 6 | 33 of 52 |
| 2003 | D3 Extreme drought | 100% | Jan 7 | 43 of 52 |
| 2002 | D4 Exceptional drought | 100% | Apr 2 | 46 of 53 |
| 2001 | D0 Abnormally dry | 0% | 0 of 52 | |
| 2000 | D1 Moderate drought | 100% | Feb 1 | 15 of 52 |
Drought history since 2000
Some part of Lane County was in drought on 50% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000, and exceptional drought (D4) last reached the county the week of Jun 13, 2023.
- Weeks with some drought
- 693 of 1,396 (50%)
- Worst category reached
- D4 Exceptional drought, last the week of Jun 13, 2023
- Most widespread
- 100% in drought, week of Jun 23, 2026
- Longest spell
- 237 weeks, Nov 9, 2010 to May 19, 2015
- Last in drought
- Week of Jun 30, 2026
Outlook
The Climate Prediction Center's drought outlooks at the center of Lane County: whether drought is expected to develop, persist, improve or end.
- Monthly outlook, Oct 2026
- No drought expected
- Seasonal outlook, through December 31 (issued Sep 30)
- No drought expected
The monthly outlook is issued on the last day of each month, the seasonal one on the third Thursday. CPC's discussion.
What drought has meant in Kansas
The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Kansas at each level of drought, starting with this week's worst here.
D1 Moderate drought
- Fire danger increases
- Pond levels are low; habitat is poor in migratory flyways
- Wheat and grasses are drought stressed; hay demand increases
D2 Severe drought
- Blue-green algae impacts water supply; ponds and streams are dry
- Burn bans are implemented; firework sales are banned; more grass fires occur
- Wheat, corn, soybean, and hay yields are low; crops are severely damaged
D3 Extreme drought
- Cattle sales are high; emergency grazing is opened; corn and wheat crops fail; pasture conditions are poor
- Emergency water supplies are needed; river levels are low; municipal water restrictions are implemented
- Major infestation of locusts occurs; quail and pheasant populations are reduced; trees are stressed
D4 Exceptional drought
- All aquatic species and food chains are affected; fish kills occur
- All crops are severely impacted/not harvested; ground is cracking
- Irrigation is turned off; river has dried up
- Negative impact on economy is noted
- Wildfires and large dust storms occur
Drawn from the Drought Impact Reporter and local observers.
Burn bans and water restrictions
The Drought Monitor does not issue burn bans or water restrictions. Lane County's officials, the state forestry or fire agency, and local water utilities set them, often once drought reaches D2 or dry fuels raise the fire danger. Check the county's emergency management office or fire marshal for a ban in force, and the alerts page for red flag warnings and fire weather watches.
This week in the High Plains
The Drought Monitor authors' narrative for the map of Sep 29, 2026, released Oct 1, 2026.
The High Plains states experienced almost exclusively drought improvements this week, as many areas experienced beneficial rainfall, with Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska being beneficiaries of the east-Pacific “El Niño” tropical connection. Despite temperatures being up to 6 or more degrees above average, the plentiful rainfall has contributed to drought improvement in many areas this week. Northern and eastern North Dakota also experienced substantial reduction in drought coverage and intensity as heavy rain fell near the Canadian border.
Looking ahead
Ongoing substantial rain was falling Tuesday morning at the onset of the new U.S. Drought Monitor week, from Arizona and New Mexico into the Central and High Plains. This excessive rainy system connected to Hurricane Polo is projected to continue eastward this week into the High Plains, Midwest, and South regions. The Weather Prediction Center has moderate threats for excessive rainfall from the Southwest into Texas, Oklahoma, northward into Nebraska and Iowa. Drought-busting rains may be possible across the South as this weather system evolves this week. Looking into the next week, the Climate Prediction Center’s 6–10-day outlook indicates that well-above average temperatures will shift into the western states, along with below normal precipitation chances. Meanwhile, above average precipitation chances are projected from southern Texas into the southeastern states, including Florida. Above average precipitation chances are also projected for southeastern Alaska, with near neutral rainfall forecasts for Hawaii.
Written by Denise Gutzmer, National Drought Mitigation Center; Jonathan Case, NASA/MSFC, UAH. The national narrative.
What this means
The five categories the Drought Monitor draws, and how the map is made.
- D0 Abnormally dry
- Going into or coming out of drought.
- D1 Moderate drought
- Some damage to crops and pastures; water shortages developing.
- D2 Severe drought
- Crop or pasture losses likely; water restrictions imposed.
- D3 Extreme drought
- Major crop and pasture losses; widespread water shortages.
- D4 Exceptional drought
- Exceptional and widespread losses; water emergencies.
The US Drought Monitor is drawn every week by authors at the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA and NOAA, who weigh rainfall, soil moisture, streamflow, groundwater, vegetation health and reports from local observers. Each map shows conditions through Tuesday morning and is released on Thursday. It shows where drought is and how bad it is; it does not forecast it. CPC's outlooks do that.
Nearby
The counties bordering Lane County, with the worst category on this week's map.
Sources
Statistics and narrative from the US Drought Monitor, courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with USDA and NOAA. Outlooks from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Impacts from NDMC's State Impacts tool.