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Drought conditions improve for southern Texas, persist for western Texas.
Key Points
- Except for parts of northern Zapata County, just about the entire drought-affected area from Del Rio to Houston southward has seen more than 150% of normal rain so far this month.
- One to three additional inches of rain are expected for southern Texas over the next week.
- May and June are typically the wettest months of the year in the Southern Plains, and rainfall in these months are critical for productive agriculture.
- The latest seasonal outlook for June-August favors above-normal temperatures, with no strong tendency for above- or below-normal precipitation.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. Drought categories show experts’ assessments of conditions related to dryness and drought including observations of how much water is available in streams, lakes, and soils compared to usual for the same time of year.
This map shows drought conditions for Texas, as of May 18, 2021.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. Drought categories show experts’ assessments of conditions related to dryness and drought including observations of how much water is available in streams, lakes, and soils compared to usual for the same time of year.
This map shows drought conditions across the Southern Plains Drought Early Warning System (DEWS), as of May 18, 2021.
U.S. Drought Monitor Categories
U.S. Drought Monitor Categories
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. Drought categories show experts’ assessments of conditions related to dryness and drought including observations of how much water is available in streams, lakes, and soils compared to usual for the same time of year.
This map shows drought conditions for Texas, as of May 18, 2021.
The U.S. Drought Monitor is updated each Thursday to show the location and intensity of drought across the country. Drought categories show experts’ assessments of conditions related to dryness and drought including observations of how much water is available in streams, lakes, and soils compared to usual for the same time of year.
This map shows drought conditions across the Southern Plains Drought Early Warning System (DEWS), as of May 18, 2021.
Recent and Current Conditions
May Precipitation for Southern Texas
- At least part of every county in the drought-affected area from Del Rio to Houston southward has seen more than 150% of normal rain so far this month.
- May rainfall across most of drought-affected southern Texas has been greater than 150% of the historical monthly mean.
U.S. Drought Monitor Conditions for Texas
- The latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows Extreme (D3) drought remains in areas surrounding Laredo.
- The majority of southern Texas is no longer experiencing drought conditions.
- Exceptional (D4) drought conditions have been in place in west Texas since August 2020.
Forecasts and Seasonal Outlooks
1–7 Day Rainfall Forecast
One to three additional inches of rain is expected for southern Texas over the next week.
8–14 Day Outlook
- Near-normal temperatures and precipitation are favored in the Climate Prediction Center's 8–14 day outlook.
- May and June are usually the wettest time of the year for southern Texas.
June–August Seasonal Outlook
- For June–August, there is a greater chance for above-normal temperatures.
- Neither above- nor below-normal precipitation is especially favored for Texas through the season.
For More Information
NIDIS and its partners will issue future drought updates as conditions evolve.
More local information is available from the following resources:
Prepared By
Joel Lisonbee
NOAA/National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)
John Nielsen-Gammon
Texas State Climatologist, Texas A&M University
Director, Southern Regional Climate Center
Victor Murphy
Climate Services Program Manager, National Weather Service Southern Region
This drought early warning update is issued in partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the offices of the state climatologist for Texas. The purpose of the update is to communicate amelioration of drought conditions for far southern Texas within the Southern Plains Drought Early Warning System based on recent conditions and the upcoming forecast. NIDIS and its partners will issue future drought updates as conditions evolve.