Dodge City, Kansas – A rare stretch of dry weather has rewritten part of Dodge City’s climate record books after the city finished March without a single day of measurable precipitation, something recorded only twice before in more than a century of observations.
According to the National Weather Service in Dodge City, the city logged zero measurable precipitation for the entire month. The only other years on record with a rain-free March were 1893 and 1997, making 2026 just the third occurrence since official measurements began.
The lack of rain has left grasses and open fields across southwest Kansas unusually dry heading into early spring. Counties including Ford, Gray, and Finney could see elevated grassfire danger on windy afternoons, especially along U.S. Highway 50 and U.S. Highway 283 where open rangeland dries quickly.
Local emergency managers are urging residents to avoid outdoor burning and to secure trailer chains that could spark roadside fires. Strong Plains winds combined with dormant vegetation can allow fires to spread quickly across rural areas.
The next chance for meaningful moisture across western Kansas remains uncertain, though occasional clouds and breezy conditions are expected through the first half of the week. Fire weather concerns may continue until widespread rainfall returns.
