Rice County rain, outlook and forecast
Most of Rice County, KS was in moderate drought (D1) on the Oct 27 U.S. Drought Monitor map, with 31% at severe drought (D2); some part has been in severe drought (D2) or worse for 11 straight weeks. Rice County has had 71% of its normal rain in the past 30 days and 85% over 90 days; the NWS forecast peaks at a 62% rain chance on Monday (high 76°) and the 6-10 day outlook for Nov 7–11 leans toward near-normal rain. Rice County is on FSA's 2026 LFP list with up to 4 monthly payments, and Salina is the closest USDA-reported sale barn at 45 miles.
Rain vs normal
- Last 30 days 71% of normal
- Last 60 days 127% of normal
- Last 90 days 85% 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 68°, low 62°, 45% rain, wind 14–22 mph
- Monday Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, high 76°, low 50°, 62% rain, wind 9–25 mph
- Tuesday Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Cloudy, high 60°, low 40°, 54% rain, wind 7–22 mph
- Wednesday Sunny, high 62°, low 40°, 22% rain, wind 6–9 mph
- Thursday Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny, high 58°, low 38°, 18% rain, wind 6–10 mph
- Friday Mostly Sunny, high 61°, low 41°, 3% rain, wind 3–5 mph
- Saturday Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers, high 65°, low 43°, 23% 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 Rice 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
Rice 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 45 mi | Oct 29 | $423 |
| Pratt 55 mi | Oct 29 | $452 |
| Dodge City 106 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.
Loading drought…
Loading programs…
Loading weather & fire…
Loading money…
Loading deadlines…
Loading land…
Common questions and nearby counties
Is Rice County eligible for LFP in 2026?
Yes. Rice 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 Rice County this week?
On the Drought Monitor map of Oct 27, 2026, most of Rice County was in moderate drought (D1), and the worst part was severe drought (D2) on 31% of the county. 11 straight weeks with some severe drought (D2) or worse.
Is there a burn ban in Rice 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 Rice County?
The nearest USDA-reported sale barns: Salina (45 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Pratt (55 mi), last report Oct 29, 2026; Dodge City (106 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.