Elk County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Elk County, KS was abnormally dry (D0) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with a sliver (<1%) at moderate drought (D1); 1% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 100% four weeks earlier. Rain has run 64% of normal over the last 30 days (below normal) and 78% over 90 days; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 6–10 leans toward near-normal rain and Monday carries the week's highest rain chance at 83% (high 75°). Elk County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 2 monthly payments, and Tulsa is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 94 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 64% of normal
- Last 60 days 100% of normal
- Last 90 days 78% 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 6–10) Leans toward near-normal rain
- 8-14 day outlook (Nov 8–14) Leans toward near-normal rain
NOAA Climate Prediction Center precipitation outlook, issued Oct 31, 2026. Source.
Next 7 days
- Today Partly Sunny, high 72°, low 59°, 10% rain, wind 3–16 mph
- Monday Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms, high 75°, low 56°, 83% rain, wind 9–25 mph
- Tuesday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 68°, low 46°, 17% rain, wind 6–16 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 66°, low 44°, 3% rain, wind 3–9 mph
- Thursday Mostly Sunny, high 67°, low 44°, 12% rain, wind 2–7 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 67°, low 45°, 4% rain, wind 3–6 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny, high 70°, low 46°, 20% 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 Elk 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
Elk 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 94 mi | Oct 26 | $413 |
| Salina 120 mi | Oct 29 | $423 |
| Siloam Springs 129 mi | Oct 29 | $405 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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.
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Common questions and nearby counties
Is Elk County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Elk County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 2 monthly payments 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 Elk County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Elk County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on a sliver (<1%) of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Elk 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 Elk County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Tulsa (94 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; Salina (120 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Siloam Springs (129 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.