Hamilton County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Hamilton County, KS with no drought, though 23% at abnormally dry (D0); four weeks earlier 100% of the county was in moderate drought (D1) or worse, now 0%. Rain has run 50% of normal over the last 30 days (below normal) and 295% over 90 days, so the past month has been drier than the season so far; the best rain chance this week is 83% on today (high 69°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Hamilton County (county seat: Syracuse) with up to 4 monthly payments, and La Junta Winter is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 94 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 50% of normal
- Last 60 days 460% of normal
- Last 90 days 295% 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 Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 69°, low 57°, 83% rain, wind 23–29 mph
- Monday Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 70°, low 41°, 77% rain, wind 20–26 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 58°, low 34°, 3% rain, wind 7–24 mph
- Wednesday Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 62°, low 36°, 27% rain, wind 6–10 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 57°, low 32°, 11% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 60°, low 36°, 15% rain, wind 3–7 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 61°, low 36°, 17% rain, wind 6–10 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 Hamilton 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
Hamilton 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 |
|---|---|---|
| La Junta Winter 94 mi | Oct 27 | $379 |
| Dodge City 99 mi | Oct 28 | $391 |
| La Junta LJLC 100 mi | Oct 28 | $406 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Kansas · County seat: Syracuse
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Hamilton County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Hamilton County is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program county list, with up to 4 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 Hamilton County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Hamilton County was in no drought, and the worst part was abnormally dry (D0) on 23% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Hamilton 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 Hamilton County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: La Junta Winter (94 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Dodge City (99 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; La Junta LJLC (100 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.