Drought Information Statement for South Texas
Issued By: NWS Corpus Christi, TX
Contact Information: sr-crp.webmaster@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated April 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. 
March 2, 2024

U.S. Drought Monitor
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for South Texas
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

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Link to the latest 4-week change map for South Texas
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: Small portion of the Southern Brush Country
 
No Change: Much of the Brush Country

Drought Improved: Northern Coastal Plains and portions of the Brush Country

South Texas Rainfall
Precipitation
Rainfall amounts ranged from around 0.20” to near 4” throughout the month of February. Much of the region saw below normal rainfall amounts. However, a strip across our northern tier of counties observed 100-200% of normal rainfall. 


Temperature
Temperatures were above normal for February 2024.


Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Hydrologic Impacts 
Low reservoir levels contributing to water restrictions

Agricultural Impacts
Coastal Bend Region: Weather conditions varied, with windy conditions accelerating topsoil moisture depletion, followed by drying conditions and unseasonably warm weather facilitating planting progress. Crop planting activities were underway, with field crop producers initiating corn planting in drier sandy fields. In Nueces County, favorable planting conditions supported excellent progress for all crops, including corn, sorghum and cotton. Similarly, Refugio County initiated corn and milo planting amidst mild temperatures and decreasing rainfall. Pasture conditions were improving across the region, with annual winter pastures sustaining cattle grazing operations and pastures growing rapidly with warmer weather. Livestock producers continued supplemental feeding amidst hay consumption slowdowns. Cattle maintained good condition and cattle prices remained high on lower inventories, contributing to strong livestock markets.
South Region: Warm weather encouraged pastures and rangelands to green up and trees to bloom. Producers started planting corn and preparing fields for peanut and cotton planting. Strawberries were producing well. Spinach and cabbage production was coming to an end. Wheat, oat and rye fields were improving. Topsoil and subsoil conditions were adequate due to recent rainfall. Hay prices were still high. Although supplemental feeding continued, producers also started turning livestock on rangelands and pastures. Cattle prices were firm at local markets. Wildlife was very active.


Summary of Impacts
Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter
Fire Hazard Impacts
Normal wildfire potential at this time

Other Impacts
Corpus Christi under stage 1 water restrictions
Laredo under stage 2 water restrictions
Alice under stage 2 water restrictions

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
Below to much below normal flows west of Highway 281.
A few locations of normal flows across the Coastal Bend and Victoria Crossroads.

 
Reservoir
Pool Elevation (ft)
Current Elevation (ft)
Choke Canyon.
220.5
192.4
Lake Corpus Christi
94.0
85.9
Lake Texana
44.0
43.8
Coleto Creek
98.0
98.4
Canyon Lake
909.0
887.6
Lake Amistad
1117.0
1050.8

Soil Moisture | Crop Moisture
Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture levels are near normal for much of South Texas.
Northwest Brush Country currently experiencing slightly below normal soil moisture.

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

Normal significant wildfire potential through the spring


Latest TX Burn Ban map available here.


Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center.


Rapid Onset Drought Outlook
Links to the latest Climate Prediction Center 8 to 14 day Temperature Outlook and Precipitation Outlook.
Summarize conditions and impacts here


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 across the Brush Country.
Equal chances for above and below precipitation for the Victoria Crossroads and the Coastal Bend.


Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal drought outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought is expected to persist across the Brush Country this spring