Drought Information Statement for South Texas
Issued By: NWS Corpus Christi, TX
Contact Information: sr-crp.webmaster@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated March 07, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/crp/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
February 3, 2024


U.S. Drought Monitor
Majority of South Texas is drought free

Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): None
D3 (Extreme Drought): None
D2 (Severe Drought): None
D1 (Moderate Drought): Northwest Brush Country
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Southern Brush Country and a small portion of the northern Coastal Plains

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: Across the Brush Country
 
No Change: Southern Coastal Plains and Coastal Bend

Drought Improved: Victoria Crossroads, Northern Coastal Bend and Coastal Plains

South Texas Rainfall
Precipitation
Beneficial rains fell through January, especially for those east of Highway 281. Rainfall amounts were well over 200% of normal for January. Some of the high totals exceeded 7” across the Victoria Crossroads.


Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. 

Temperature
Temperatures were slightly below normal for January 2024.


Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
Low reservoir levels contributing to water restrictions

Agricultural Impacts
Recent heavy rains brought relief, with countywide totals ranging from 3-12 inches, filling stock ponds and improving winter pasture conditions. Overall, the market holds firm despite the halting of farm operations due to the heavy rains.

Fire Hazard Impacts
Low to moderate fire danger at this time

Other Impacts
Corpus Christi under stage 1 water restrictions
Victoria removed all drought restrictions on 1/25
Laredo under stage 2 water restrictions
Alice moved from stage 2 to stage 1 restrictions on 1/29

Mitigation Actions
Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.

USGS 7-Day Avg Streamflow | Texas Reservoirs
Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Above normal flows are present across the Victoria Crossroads
Normal to below normal conditions are observed on rivers and creeks west of I-37

 
Reservoir
Pool Elevation (ft)
Current Elevation (ft)
Choke Canyon.
220.5
192.7
Lake Corpus Christi
94.0
86.2
Lake Texana
44.0
44.0
Coleto Creek
98.0
99.3
Canyon Lake
909.0
887.7
Lake Amistad
1117.0
1058.4

Soil Moisture | Crop Moisture
Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture remains below normal across the Brush Country.
There are signs of improvements for those east of Highway 281. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
Burn Bans in place across portions of South Texas

Normal to below normal significant wildfire potential through October.


Long-Range Outlooks
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Equal chances for above and below normal temperatures.
Below normal precipitation. 

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal drought outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought removal is possible over the next month across the Brush Country.