Drought Information Statement for South Texas
Issued By: NWS Corpus Christi, TX
Contact Information: sr-crp.webmaster@noaa.gov 
This product will be updated January 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. 
December 4, 2023
Valid 
1

U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought conditions improve across much of South Texas

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

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: None
 
No Change: Small portions of the Brush Country, Coastal Plains and Coastal Bend

Drought Improved: Most of South Texas, mainly east and northern counties. Portions of southern Brush Country to the Coastal Bend

Precipitation
Most of South Texas saw above normal rainfall throughout the month of November, except portions of the northern counties.


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

Agricultural Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time

Fire Hazard Impacts
Dry conditions lead to occasional elevated fire conditions

Other Impacts
Corpus Christi under stage 1 water restrictions
Victoria under stage 2 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
192.9
Lake Corpus Christi
94.0
86.4
Lake Texana
44.0
39.4
Coleto Creek
98.0
94.8
Canyon Lake
909.0
888.4
Lake Amistad
1117.0
  1061.8

Agricultural Impacts
Below normal soil moisture conditions are in place across South Texas. The driest can be found generally east of Highway 281. 
Slightly dry crop moisture across South Texas and most of the state.

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

Normal significant wildfire potential through December

Long-Range Outlooks
Above normal temperatures expected through December.

Equal chances for above or below normal precipitation through December.


Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought conditions are expected to persist across western portions of the region.
Drought removal likely for eastern portions of South Texas.