Cowley County rain, outlook and forecast
On the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, most of Cowley County, KS was in moderate drought (D1); four weeks earlier 100% of the county was in moderate drought (D1) or worse, now 83%. Rain has run 80% of normal over the last 30 days (below normal) and 54% over 90 days, so the past month has been wetter than the season so far; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain and the NWS forecast peaks at a 77% rain chance on Monday (high 73°). Cowley County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 1 monthly payment, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Tulsa, 92 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 80% of normal
- Last 60 days 79% of normal
- Last 90 days 54% 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 Partly Sunny, high 72°, low 62°, 6% rain, wind 7–21 mph
- Monday Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, high 73°, low 54°, 77% rain, wind 9–23 mph
- Tuesday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 67°, low 44°, 22% rain, wind 6–18 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 68°, low 43°, 19% rain, wind 3–9 mph
- Thursday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 64°, low 42°, 16% rain, wind 3–9 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 66°, low 43°, 1% rain, wind 2–6 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 68°, low 44°, 26% rain, wind 2–7 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 Cowley 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
Cowley County is on IRS Notice 2026-54 (severe or worse drought, Sep 1, 2025 to Aug 31, 2026).
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)
5-wt steers, nearest barns
Steers 500–599 lb, $/cwt, weekly average.
| Barn | Last sale | 5-wt steers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa 92 mi | Oct 26 | $413 |
| Pratt 105 mi | Oct 29 | $452 |
| Salina 117 mi | Oct 29 | $423 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/cwt, per 100 lb), calculated from USDA AMS Market News sale reports (Medium & Large 1 and 1-2). Not a USDA-published average. ≈ $/head = $/cwt × the middle of the weight class ÷ 100.
Guide: How to read a USDA sale barn report
All weights at the 3 nearest barns
8 more within 200 mi: El Reno (133 mi), Siloam Springs (147 mi), Woodward (151 mi), Exeter (165 mi), McAlester (170 mi), Ada (171 mi), Dodge City (177 mi), Apache (183 mi).
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Cowley County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Cowley County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 1 monthly payment for some pasture types. FSA decides each operation's eligibility; apply at your county FSA office by March 1 after the loss year.
What is the drought level in Cowley County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Cowley County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 83% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Cowley 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 Cowley County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Tulsa (92 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; Pratt (105 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Salina (117 mi), last report Oct 29, 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.