Drought Information Statement for South Texas Valid May 4, 2024 Issued By: NWS Corpus Christi, TX Contact Information: sr-crp.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated May 7, 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.. Moderate drought in place across the Brush Country Below normal rainfall for much of the area in April 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): None D2 (Severe Drought): None D1 (Moderate Drought): Webb and La Salle counties D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Webb, La Salle, Duval, McMullen, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Live Oak, Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Refugio, Calhoun counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: None No Change: Portions of Webb, La Salle, Duval, McMullen, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Live Oak, Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Refugio, Calhoun counties. Drought Improved: None Precipitation Overall, below normal rainfall was observed during April. Those that saw rain, received 2-4” in a few selected spots, generally across the Brush Country. South Texas Rainfall Temperature Temperatures were slightly below normal over the past week. However, looking at the past month, temperatures were near to slightly above normal. 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 (https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/) Coastal Bend: Pasture conditions began to decline, and high winds exacerbated moisture depletion. Fertilizer and herbicide applications continued on hay fields, with some hay cuttings ongoing. Approximately a quarter of the rice crop was flooded. Corn neared tasseling, but additional moisture was needed soon for sustained growth. Cotton producers were scouting and spraying for insects and weeds, with cotton replanting occurring in areas affected by heavy rainfall. Livestock remained decent, with calves gaining weight. Cattle prices remained high, and pastures were drying quickly, prompting many to begin cutting hay for the first time this season. South: The rain should benefit forage production and help forage sorghum crops. Strawberry crops were slow. Wheat and oat crops were being prepared for harvest while corn continued to develop and cotton planting was complete in some areas. Corn and grain sorghum crops in some areas were starting to stress and yield potential was shrinking due to windy, warm and dry conditions, while others were progressing well with most corn at the silking stage and grain sorghum in the soft dough stage. Cotton plants were growing well but will need to be watered once plant height increases. Row crops in some areas looked good but will need some rain soon for good yields. Onions were still being harvested and citrus was being irrigated. Some hay meadows were being irrigated and some have been baled. Sugar cane aphids were causing issues for sorghum acres, but other crops remained pest-free for the most part. Beef cattle producers were closely monitoring their herd size to maintain their range and pasture conditions. Beef cattle prices remained high and looked to stay that way due to lower overall numbers. In Live Oak County, ranchers were still actively selling their cattle and prices suffered some due to highly pathogenic avian influenza, which was found in a few dairy herds throughout the U.S. Livestock and wildlife continued to flourish thanks to good range and pasture conditions in late winter and early spring. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Fire Hazard Impacts Low to moderate fire danger at this time Other Impacts Corpus Christi under stage 2 water restrictions (https://www.cctexas.com/) Laredo under stage 2 water restrictions (https://laredoutilities.com/water-conservation-program/) Alice under stage 2 restrictions (https://www.alicetx.com/2024/03/11/city-of-alice-enters-stage-2-moderate-drought-restriction/#/) 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 Normal to below normal flows across all of South Texas Reservoir Pool Elevation (ft) Current Elevation (ft) Choke Canyon. 220.5 191.6 Lake Corpus Christi 94.0 84.6 Lake Texana 44.0 43.2 Coleto Creek 98.0 97.5 Canyon Lake 909.0 886.6 Lake Amistad 1117.0 1050.8 Soil Moisture | Crop Moisture Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture remains below normal across the region. Fire Hazard Impacts Burn Bans in place across portions of South Texas Normal significant wildfire potential through April Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Equal chances for above or below normal precipitation through May Above normal temperatures for May Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal drought outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is likely to persist across the Northwest Brush Country.