Drought Information Statement for The Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles
Valid November 21, 2024
Issued By: WFO Amarillo
Contact Information: sr-ama.webmaster@noaa.gov
This product will be updated with the return of Severe Drought(D2) in the combined Panhandles.   
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/AMA/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/[link] for regional drought status updates.
The majority of the Texas Panhandle has improved to Abnormally Dry(D0) to no drought conditions since the start of November. 
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Drought intensity and Extent

D4 (Exceptional Drought): None

D3 (Extreme Drought): None

D2 (Severe Drought): None

D1 (Moderate Drought): None

D0: (Abnormally Dry): Isolated portions of the southern Texas Panhandle

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 

Drought Worsened: None
 
No Change: Majority of the Oklahoma Panhandle

Drought Improved: Majority of the Texas Panhandle

Precipitation
The majority of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles received well above normal rainfall over the first few weeks of November.

Temperature
Most of the combined Panhandles have been 2 to 6 degrees above normal, while the northwest Panhandles were near to slightly below normal over the last 30 days. 


Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
There are no known impacts at this time

Agricultural Impacts
Recent moisture has brought more favorable growing conditions for late season crops

Fire Hazard Impacts
Grasses and brush are now less primed for fire starts

Other Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Streamflow has increased to normal to much above normal for the Texas Panhandle. 


Fire Hazard Impacts
Fall is seasonally dry and fire hazards are not uncommon if above normal temperatures coincide with high winds.  


Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought conditions expected to persist or improve in the far eastern and far southern Texas Panhandle.