Drought Information Statement for West-Central Texas Valid April 17, 2024 Issued By: WFO San Angelo, TX Contact Information: This product will be updated if D3 conditions change or significant improvements are introduced. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/SJT/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/[link] for regional drought status updates. Drought has expanded into the Heartland and Concho Valley, while drought improvement was introduced in the Big Country due to increased rainfall. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor U.S. Drought Monitor for West-Central Texas Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Extreme southwest Crockett county and extreme southeast Kimble county. D3 (Extreme Drought): Crockett, Sutton, Kimble, Mason, Menard, McCullough, and most of San Saba county. D2 (Severe Drought): Schleicher, southern Irion, southeast Tom Green, northwest Concho, southern Runnels, southern Coleman, southern Brown, northeast San Saba, and northwest Fisher county. D1 (Moderate Drought): The rest of the Concho Valley, northern heartland, and southwest Big Country. D0: (Abnormally Dry): The northeast portion of the Big Country. Recent Change in Drought Intensity 4-week change map for West-Central Texas Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Across western Concho Valley, eastern Heartland, Northern Edward’s Plateau, and the northwest Hill Country. Drought Improved: Across portions of the Big Country No Change: Much of the rest of West Central Texas. Precipitation The majority of the rainfall the past 4 weeks fells along and south of I-10. While most counties experienced some rainfall, only the Big Country and portions of the Northern Edwards Plateau were above normal for precipitation. Temperature Average daily temperatures over the past 30 days has been mainly in the 60s. Across West Central Texas, temperatures remained above normal by 1-4 degrees over the past 30 days. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Despite recent rainfall, reservoir levels have continued to drop over the past 30 days. Agricultural Impacts Across the majority of West Central Texas, soil moisture is below to well below normal. Normal soil moisture persists for the far northern counties. Crop moisture remains abnormally dry across the area. Fire Hazard Impacts Despite recent rainfall across the area, burn bans remain in effect, though the Significant Wildland Fire Potential is normal. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Portions of the Big Country where above normal precipitation was observed, streamflows are near normal. Elsewhere across West Central Texas, streamflows remain below or much below normal. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 07 28 2024 Agricultural Impacts Across the majority of West Central Texas, soil moisture is below to well below normal. Normal soil moisture persists for the far northern counties. Crop moisture remains abnormally dry across the area. Fire Hazard Impacts Many burn bans remain in effect across the area, though the Significant Wildland Fire Potential is normal. Latest TX Burn Ban map available here. Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Over the next 7 days, higher chances of rainfall are forecast across West Central Texas, with chances increasing to the east. 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 Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought is expected to persist across the area through June 30. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook