Drought Information Statement for South Texas Valid June 2, 2024 Issued By: NWS Corpus Christi, TX Contact Information: sr-crp.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated July 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 and Central Coastal Bend Below normal rainfall for much of the area in April Laredo now in Stage 3 Water Restrictions 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): Portions of Webb, La Salle, Nueces, San Patricio, Refugio, and Aransas counties D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Webb, La Salle, Duval, McMullen, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Live Oak, Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Refugio, Aransas, and Calhoun counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of Live Oak, Bee, Nueces, San Patricio, Aransas, and Refugio counties. No Change: Portions of Webb, La Salle, Duval, McMullen, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Nueces, San Patricio, Live Oak, Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Refugio, Aransas, and Calhoun counties. Drought Improved: None Precipitation Those to the east of Highway 281, experienced below normal rainfall through May. Rainfall amounts generally ranged from 1-4” Those west of Highway 281, experienced near to slightly above normal rainfall. Rainfall amounts ranged from 2-8” in some spots. South Texas Rainfall Temperature Temperatures were above normal for the month of May. 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: The district continued to experience very hot, dry conditions. Corn and grain sorghum were in their late stages and maturing rapidly. Some corn was showing signs of stress, including less than desirable ear length. Many cotton plants looked good, but the hot, dry conditions were beginning to impact them. Producers began spraying cotton for fleahoppers and stink bugs. Rice fields were beginning to go under flood irrigation. Range and pasture conditions continued to decline, and hay production was falling short of normal levels. Livestock conditions were good, but some livestock required supplementation due to the deteriorating forage conditions. South: Temperatures in the district ranged from very warm to hot with most areas receiving trace amounts of rainfall up to 3 inches. Corn and grain sorghum fared well in most areas, but some producers expected yield losses due to dry conditions. Cotton crops in most areas were doing well with small bolls or the flowering stage in some fields. Dryland cotton was suffering and showing signs of stress. Sesame was doing well despite hot temperatures, and the strawberry harvest was wrapping up. Pasture and range conditions were poor to good, with soil conditions worsening. Hay looked good with producers beginning to cut and bale in most areas. Livestock conditions ranged from poor to good, with supplementation becoming more common in some areas. Cattle looked good, and prices remained strong. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Fire Hazard Impacts Normal fire danger at this time Other Impacts Corpus Christi under stage 2 water restrictions (https://www.cctexas.com/) Laredo under stage 3 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 much below normal flows across all of South Texas Reservoir Pool Elevation (ft) Current Elevation (ft) Choke Canyon. 220.5 191.2 Lake Corpus Christi 94.0 83.9 Lake Texana 44.0 43.9 Coleto Creek 98.0 97.3 Canyon Lake 909.0 885.9 Lake Amistad 1117.0 1049.5 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 June Latest TX Burn Ban map available here. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Image Caption: TX Map KBDI Index Valid MM DD YYYY Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Summarize conditions here 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 or below normal precipitation through June Above normal temperatures for June Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal drought outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is likely to persist across the western Brush Country.