National Weather ServiceNebraskaFire Weather WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Fire Weather Watches in Nebraska
The National Weather Service issued 60 fire weather watches for Nebraska in 2025 and 42 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 5th most of any state. 2026 through September: 87, 164% above the average of 33 for those months in 2008-2025. Dundy was covered most often (165 times since 2008).
How many fire weather watches does Nebraska get?
Every fire weather watch that covered part of Nebraska. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 87 |
| 2025 | 60 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2023 | 33 |
| 2022 | 114 |
| 2021 | 43 |
| 2020 | 50 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2016 | 30 |
| 2015 | 37 |
| 2014 | 35 |
| 2013 | 12 |
| 2012 | 118 |
| 2011 | 34 |
| 2010 | 24 |
| 2009 | 8 |
| 2008 | 17 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Nebraska get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Nebraska?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dundy | 165 | 35 | June 17, 2026 |
| Frenchman Basin | 145 | 41 | June 17, 2026 |
| Eastern Panhandle/Crescent Lake NWR | 143 | 49 | August 2, 2026 |
| Hitchcock | 130 | 32 | June 17, 2026 |
| Sandhills/Valentine NWR/Nebraska National Forest | 116 | 39 | June 17, 2026 |
| Furnas | 115 | 34 | May 13, 2026 |
| Loess Plains | 115 | 34 | June 17, 2026 |
| Red Willow | 115 | 27 | June 17, 2026 |
| Harlan | 107 | 33 | May 17, 2026 |
| Gosper | 101 | 31 | May 13, 2026 |
| Dawson | 100 | 32 | May 13, 2026 |
| Phelps | 99 | 32 | May 13, 2026 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a fire weather watch?
A fire weather watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible in the coming days; it often comes before a red flag warning. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Nebraska.