Lincoln County rain, outlook and forecast
The Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map shows most of Lincoln County, NM in severe drought (D2), with 17% at extreme drought (D3); week 148 in a row with some severe drought (D2) or worse. Rain has run 79% of normal over the last 30 days (below normal) and 107% 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 81% on today (high 69°). FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Lincoln County with up to 4 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Roswell, 59 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 79% of normal
- Last 60 days 176% of normal
- Last 90 days 107% 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 then Showers And Thunderstorms, high 69°, low 49°, 81% rain, wind 5–30 mph
- Monday Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 59°, low 37°, 27% rain, wind 5–35 mph
- Tuesday Sunny, high 60°, low 36°, 0% rain, wind 0–5 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 64°, low 39°, 1% rain, wind 5–15 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 62°, low 37°, 0% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 62°, low 39°, 17% rain, wind 0–10 mph
- Saturday Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 58°, low 35°, 23% rain, wind 0–15 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 Lincoln 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
Lincoln 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Roswell 59 mi | Oct 26 | $383 |
| Belen 105 mi | Oct 30 | $375 |
| Clovis 135 mi | Oct 28 | $394 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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.
Loading drought…
Loading programs…
Loading weather & fire…
Loading money…
Loading deadlines…
Loading land…
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Lincoln County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Lincoln 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 Lincoln County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Lincoln County was in severe drought (D2), and the worst part was extreme drought (D3) on 17% of the county. 148 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Lincoln County?
No burn ban is listed for Lincoln County. Check with the county before burning.
What sale barns are near Lincoln County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Roswell (59 mi), last report Oct 26, 2026; Belen (105 mi), last report Oct 30, 2026; Clovis (135 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026.
Source: USDA AMS Market News reports
What are the upcoming FSA and farm deadlines?
Next: Nov 10, 2026: First half of property taxes due to the county treasurer; Nov 20, 2026: Apples 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.