Drought Information Statement for the South Plains, Rolling Plains, and far Southern Texas Panhandle 
Valid October 3, 2024
Issued By: WFO Lubbock, TX
Contact Information: lub.webmaster@noaa.gov
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/lub/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates for regional drought status updates.

U.S. Drought Monitor
LACK OF RAINFALL ACROSS THE EXTREME SOUTHEASTERN TEXAS PANHANDLE HAS LED TO WORSENED DROUGHT CONDITIONS
This product will be updated November 7, 2024 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly

Drought intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Extreme southeastern Texas Panhandle including Childress and Cottle Counties.
D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of the extreme southeastern Texas Panhandle and northern Rolling Plains.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of the extreme south-central Texas Panhandle, northern Rolling Plains, eastern South Plains, and southwestern South Plains.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of the South Plains and southern Rolling Plains.

Precipitation
Pockets of near, above, and below average precipitation were recorded over the South Plains, Rolling Plains, and far southern Texas Panhandle over the past 30 days. 
Areas that received the least amount of precipitation, i.e, the far southeastern Texas Panhandle and western South Plains is where we are seeing drought conditions intensifying. 

Summary of Impacts
Hydrologic Impacts 
There are no known impacts at this time

Agricultural Impacts
Please see the latest Crop and Weather Report from Texas A&M Agrilife
Soil moisture is expected to decrease.

Fire Hazard Impacts
ERC values have increased over the past several weeks over the Rolling Plains and far southeastern Texas Panhandle but no known wildfire activity has occurred (TFS).

Other Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time


Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Most area reservoirs have dropped in the past several months due to lack of widespread rainfall.
Lake Alan Henry was the exception, rising to full capacity, receiving rainfall upstream of the lake.

 
Reservoir
Conservation Pool (ft)
Current Elevation (ft)
Percent Full
Mackenzie Lake
3100.0
3012.8
8%
White River Lake
2370.0
2349.2
16%
Lake Alan Henry
2220.0
2219.9
100%
Lake Meredith
2936.0
2888.2
40%

Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Areas of drought persistence and development are forecasted across much of the far southern Texas Panhandle, Rolling Plains,  and into portions of the eastern South Plains through the end of the year.