Meade County rain, outlook and forecast
As of the Oct 27 Drought Monitor, most of Meade County, KS was in moderate drought (D1); four weeks earlier 100% of the county was in moderate drought (D1) or worse, now 60%. Rain has run 105% of normal over the last 30 days (near normal) and 106% over 90 days; the NWS forecast peaks at a 80% rain chance on today (high 67°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. FSA's 2026 LFP list includes Meade County (county seat: Meade) with up to 4 monthly payments, and the nearest USDA-reported sale barn is Beaver, 31 miles away.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 105% of normal
- Last 60 days 149% of normal
- Last 90 days 106% 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 Cloudy, high 67°, low 61°, 80% rain, wind 18–23 mph
- Monday Sunny, high 74°, low 45°, 52% rain, wind 14–25 mph
- Tuesday Mostly Sunny, high 58°, low 37°, 5% rain, wind 5–24 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 63°, low 39°, 22% rain, wind 3–8 mph
- Thursday Sunny, high 58°, low 35°, 8% rain, wind 5–13 mph
- Friday Sunny, high 60°, low 38°, 6% rain, wind 3 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 63°, low 40°, 20% rain, wind 3–7 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 Meade 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
Meade 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Beaver 31 mi | Oct 27 | $433 |
| Dodge City 40 mi | Oct 28 | $391 |
| Woodward 78 mi | Oct 29 | $394 |
How to read this
Each line is one barn's head-weighted average for 5-weight steers (500–599 lb) in that week; gaps are weeks with no sale or no lots that size. Past sales, not a bid.
Dollars per hundredweight ($/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.
Guide: How to read a USDA sale barn report
All weights at the 3 nearest barns
8 more within 200 mi: Pratt (97 mi), Dalhart (148 mi), Wildorado (172 mi), El Reno (178 mi), La Junta Winter (181 mi), Salina (185 mi), La Junta LJLC (186 mi), Apache (197 mi).
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Printable county brief (PDF) · Everything on one page · Hay prices in Kansas · County seat: Meade
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Meade County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Meade 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 Meade County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Meade County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was moderate drought (D1) on 60% of the county. 0 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Meade 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 Meade County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Beaver (31 mi), last report Oct 27, 2026; Dodge City (40 mi), last report Oct 28, 2026; Woodward (78 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.