Butler County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Butler County, KS in moderate drought (D1); 51% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 90% four weeks earlier. Over 90 days rain is at 75% of normal, and the last 30 days came in at 89% (near normal); the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain and Monday carries the week's highest rain chance at 79% (high 72°). Butler County is not on FSA's 2026 LFP list yet, and Salina is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 83 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 89% of normal
- Last 60 days 97% of normal
- Last 90 days 75% of normal
NOAA river forecast center rain (radar plus gauges) at the county center, Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Rain outlook
- 6-10 day outlook (Nov 7–11) Leans toward near-normal rain
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 9–15) Leans toward near-normal rain
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Nov 1, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Mostly Cloudy, high 71°, low 62°, 20% rain, wind 9–22 mph
- Monday Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 72°, low 54°, 79% rain, wind 9–24 mph
- Tuesday Chance Rain Showers, high 65°, low 44°, 41% rain, wind 7–18 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 66°, low 43°, 23% rain, wind 3–9 mph
- Thursday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 63°, low 42°, 16% rain, wind 3–9 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 64°, low 43°, 1% rain, wind 3–5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 67°, low 45°, 26% rain, wind 3–7 mph
National Weather Service forecast for the county center, updated Nov 1, 2026. Wind, warnings and burn bans.
Open loss windows
No open loss windows in Butler County right now. A 30-day window opens when the county first hits severe drought (D2), jumps to D3 or D4, or after a blizzard, extreme heat or cold, flood or ice warning, a wildfire, or a USDA disaster designation. Keep a Drought Ledger.
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Cownty sends nothing to FSA.
Drought-sale tax flag IRS list
A county next to Butler County is on IRS Notice 2026-54 (Cowley County, KS, Elk County, KS, Harvey County, KS, Sedgwick County, KS, Sumner County, KS). The IRS counts your county plus every county touching it.
Why it matters: if you sold breeding, dairy or draft livestock because of drought, the tax code may let you put off the gain (more time to buy replacement animals, or report the extra-sale income a year later). Your tax preparer decides whether either applies.
Work out your numbers and print a page for your preparer
Information only; not financial, tax or legal advice. Ask your tax preparer. FSA decides program eligibility. IRS Notice 2026-54 (PDF)
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Drought pasture pay (LFP)
Not on FSA's 2026 list as of the latest file.
FSA "Counties & Pasture Types Eligible for 2026 LFP", file dated Oct 29, 2026 (download). FSA decides eligibility. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
USDA disaster declarations
- Jan 16, 2026 · Flood, Flash Flooding, Excessive Rain, Moisture, Humidity, Hail, Wind, High Winds
Neighboring county declared (counts for Butler) · crop year 2025
"Declared" means USDA named this county. "Neighboring" means it touches a declared county. Either way, FSA emergency loans can open for about 8 months. FSA designation files (dated Jan 28, 2026). Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
CRP emergency haying and grazing
Open Butler County is on FSA's emergency haying and grazing list, starting Sep 1, 2026. Trigger: D2 (severe) drought on the Drought Monitor. Get an updated conservation plan from FSA before cutting or turning out.
Before haying and grazing, contact your FSA county office to see if your county remains eligible and/or obtain a modified conservation plan. This list is cumulative for the year and current local conditions may have changed.
Source: FSA eligible-county table posted Oct 29, 2026 · map · FSA program page. FSA posts a new file every Thursday. Fetched Nov 1, 2026.
Animal health notices: Kansas
New FSA programs: watch list
| Date | Scope | Release | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 30, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Three Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Minnesota | USDA Designates Numerous Counties in Minnesota as Natural Disaster Areas Due to Drought | |
| Oct 30, 2026 | Maine | USDA Offers Disaster Assistance to Agricultural Producers in Maine Impacted by Drought | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | North Carolina | USDA Designates 13 North Carolina Counties as a Natural Disaster Area | |
| Oct 29, 2026 | Oklahoma | USDA Designates Eight Oklahoma Counties as Natural Disaster Areas |
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Butler County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Not on FSA's 2026 LFP county list as of Oct 29, 2026. FSA updates the list as drought changes.
What is the drought level in Butler County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Butler County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 51% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Butler County?
No official statewide list to check: Kansas has no statewide official burn-ban list; county commissions set bans and announce them locally (county emergency management or sheriff).
What sale barns are near Butler County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Salina (83 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Pratt (101 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Tulsa (125 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 20, 2026: Apply for NRCS conservation cost-share (EQIP, CSP, ACEP) to be considered for 2027 money; Nov 20, 2026: Micro Farm 2027: last day to buy crop insurance. FSA program dates not posted officially are marked "confirm at source" on the calendar.
Source: official agency pages (see Calendar)
Information only; not financial or legal advice. FSA decides eligibility. Always check the linked official source.