Drought Information Statement for South Texas
Issued By: NWS Corpus Christi, TX
Contact Information: sr-crp.webmaster@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated December 7, 2023 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. 
Valid November 6, 2023

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought conditions spread across most of South Texas

Drought intensity and Extent
D4 (Exceptional Drought): None
D3 (Extreme Drought): Victoria Crossroads, Northern Coastal Bend, and Northern Coastal Plains
D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of the Coastal Plains and Coastal Bend and a small part of the Victoria Crossroads
D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of the Coastal Bend, Coastal Plains, and Brush Country
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of the Coastal Bend, Coastal Plains, and Brush Country

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: A small portion of the Coastal Bend
 
No Change: Much of the Victoria Crossroads, Coastal Bend, Coastal Plains, and portions of the Brush Country

Drought Improved: A large portion of the Brush Country and parts of the Coastal Plains, Coastal Bend, and Victoria Crossroads

Precipitation
Pockets of above normal rainfall was observed throughout the month of October, generally west of Highway 281.


Temperature
Near to slightly below normal temperatures were observed during October.


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

Agricultural Impacts
Crops suffering due to prolonged heat and dry conditions

Fire Hazard Impacts
Dry conditions lead to occasional elevated fire conditions

Other Impacts
Corpus Christi under stage 1 water restrictions
Victoria under stage 3 water restrictions
Laredo under stage 2 water restrictions

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

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Below normal streamflow for the majority of South Texas rivers.
Reservoir levels continue to decline.

 
Reservoir
Pool Elevation (ft)
Current Elevation (ft)
Choke Canyon.
220.5
193.3
Lake Corpus Christi
94.0
86.6
Lake Texana
44.0
38.8
Coleto Creek
98.0
94.7
Canyon Lake
909.0
889.3
Lake Amistad
1117.0
  1063.6

Agricultural Impacts
Below normal soil moisture conditions are in place across South Texas. The driest can be found generally east of Highway 281. 

Fire Hazard Impacts
Burn Bans in place for Webb, La Salle, Duval, Live Oak, Kleberg, San Patricio, and Refugio counties

Normal significant wildfire potential through November


Long-Range Outlooks
Above normal temperatures expected through November.

Equal chances for above or below normal precipitation through November.


Drought Outlook
Drought conditions are expected to persist across the region.