Drought Information Statement for West-Central Texas Valid April 24, 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 improved across the eastern Big Country, the Concho Valley, and portions of Northern Edwards Plateau due to generous 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): Central Irion, southeastern Tom Green, southern Runnels, central Coleman, central Brown, central Fisher county. 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: Mainly across the south half of West Central Texas Drought Improved: The northern half of West Central Texas No Change: Mainly across Mason and San Saba counties. Precipitation The majority of the precipitation fell across the Big Country and northern Concho valley with totals between 4-8 inches. Elsewhere, accumulations between 1-4 inches were reported. The only areas where below normal precipitation was reported was across the northwest Hill Country and far southwest Crockett county. Temperature Average daily temperatures over the past 30 days has been mainly in the upper 60s. Across West Central Texas, temperatures remained above normal by 1-3 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 Recent rainfall has lead to increases in lake levels, except at Brady Creek and Lake Sweetwater, where levels have continued to decrease. 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 is near normal. Fire Hazard Impacts Despite recent rainfall across the area, burn bans remain in effect, though the Significant Wildland Fire Potential is normal. Notably Tom Green county is not in a burn ban according to the county, though it appears as such on the Texas Burn Ban map. 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 Across the Big Country, streamflows are mainly above to much above normal, across the Concho Valley, streamflows saw an increase from last week and are experiencing normal flow. The Northwest Hill Country, Heartland and portions of the Northern Edwards Plateau are still reporting mainly below normal flow. Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 04 23 2025 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 is near normal. 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, rainfall is forecast across the area with values mainly up to an inch. Across the north portion of West Central Texas, amounts up to 2 inches is possible with isolated pockets in excess of 2.50”. 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 July 31. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook