Current Texas Drought Map (updated)

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Last edited Fri Jan 25, 2013, 04:02 AM - Edit history (14)

For reference, last summer's map:




Map from 2-15-12:




Map for 4-2-12:



Map for 4-8-12:


Map for 4-21-12:


Map for 5-19-12:


Map for 6-10-12:


Map for 6-21-12:


Map for 7-22-12:


Map for 8-24-12


Map for 9-24-12


Map for 10-25-12


Map for 12-2-12


Map for 12-26-12


Map for 1-24-13

[sonias]

1. More yellow please

I would love to keep even this much throughout the rest of the year.

[onestepforward]

2. Our long-term outlook remains "mixed."

http://twri.tamu.edu/publications/conservation-matters/2012/february/the-drought-persists-says-state-climatologist/

Despite recent rains, much of Texas is still in a severe drought and the long-term outlook is mixed, according to Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Regents Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and state climatologist.

Nielsen-Gammon said recent rains have helped to alleviate conditions over parts of the state, with some areas reporting the wettest February ever. But much of Texas still needs a lot of rainfall to break a year-long drought that has been one of the worst in history, he said.
-snip-

"Although this La Niña year has been relatively wet, the Climate Prediction Center is still calling for below-normal rainfall through June," Nielsen-Gammon said. "At this rate, we might end up with one of those rare wet La Niña years, which would be great.

"A large portion of our rain typically falls in May, and this spring will make the difference for reservoirs in drier portions of the state. By summertime, the odds have evened out and it could easily be wet or dry. But the bad news is that the summer forecast calls for enhanced chance of above-normal temperatures, which would increase evaporation and water demands."

I'll take "mixed" over bleak. That gives us a chance

[sonias]

3. We've certainly gotten more rain than they expected

So I'm hopeful too. Cautious but hopeful.

[TexasTowelie]

4. More green please!

I wouldn't be a Towelie if I requested otherwise.

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5. LOL! n/t

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6. Added map in OP for 4-8-12. n/t

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7. Added map for 4-21-12 in OP.

[TexasTowelie]

8. We had a decent amount of rain in Brenham.

The irises are in bloom, but the azaleas weren't as lush as normal.

[onestepforward]

9. We did too here in Houston.

Those irises are beautiful! My azaleas did ok, but I don't think it got cold enough for them this year. They didn't bloom as long or as prolific.

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10. Added map for 5-19-12 (plus drought outlook map for U.S.)

http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/seasonal_drought.html

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11. Added map for 6-10-12

[TexasTowelie]

13. There were storms in the Brenham area on Thursday and Friday.

It was about a half-inch on Thursday. I was in Austin on Friday, but my brother said that we had a few inches of rain that day (he was guessing around four inches).

Good news for the rest of the state as conditions are much better than last year for most of the state. Can we blame Obama for that?

[onestepforward]

14. LOL!

If Obama did propose rain for Texas, Rick Perry & Co. would say "NO!!! That's socialism!"

[TexasTowelie]

15. Latest Map for 6/12/2012. Great news--less than 1% of the state is classified as being under an

exceptional drought and overall drought conditions continue to subside!

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?TX,S

In addition, here is the county map where burn bans are in effect as of June 19.

[onestepforward]

16. Great news, indeed!

"Extreme or greater" has dropped by 1% in the last 2 weeks too, although the overall drought went up a little.

Come on, rain! Every little bit helps

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17. Added map for 7-22-12 n/t

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18. Added map for 8-24-12

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19. Added map for 9-24-12

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20. Added map for 10-25-12

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21. Added map for 12-2-12

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22. Added map for 12-26-12

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23. Added map for 1-24-13