Ellsworth County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Ellsworth County, KS was abnormally dry (D0), with 21% at moderate drought (D1); 21% of the county is in moderate drought (D1) or worse, down from 84% four weeks earlier. Rain has run 101% of normal over the last 30 days (near normal) and 147% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain and the best rain chance this week is 68% on Monday (high 77°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Ellsworth County with up to 1 monthly payment, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Salina, 33 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 101% of normal
- Last 60 days 211% of normal
- Last 90 days 147% 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 67°, low 62°, 56% rain, wind 15–25 mph
- Monday Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 77°, low 50°, 68% rain, wind 9–28 mph
- Tuesday Rain Showers Likely then Mostly Cloudy, high 57°, low 40°, 64% rain, wind 8–24 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 60°, low 40°, 18% rain, wind 5–9 mph
- Thursday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 56°, low 38°, 15% rain, wind 2–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 60°, low 41°, 3% rain, wind 3–5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 64°, low 43°, 22% rain, wind 3–8 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 Ellsworth 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
Ellsworth 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Salina 33 mi | Oct 29 | $423 |
| Pratt 77 mi | Oct 29 | $452 |
| Dodge City 117 mi | Oct 28 | $391 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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 Ellsworth County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Ellsworth County was in abnormally dry (D0), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 21% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Salina (33 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Pratt (77 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Dodge City (117 mi), last report Oct 28, 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.