National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

January 9th - 10th 2021 Snow Event

A storm system brought light to moderate snow across the Panhandles the night of January 9th and continued through mid-day on the 10th. Snow accumulations ranged from a light dusting in the southeast Panhandles to upwards of 3.5 inches in the western Panhandles. Read More >

Amarillo, TX

Weather Forecast Office

Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle Drought Information

Weather.gov > Amarillo, TX > Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle Drought Information

Texas and Oklahoma Panhandle Drought Center

Summary (from October 3rd, 2020):

Beneficial monsoonal rain fell from about mid-July through mid-August. However, the far southwestern Texas Panhandle did miss out on this rain. Very little to no rain has fallen across the Panhandles during the period of mid-August through September. Some areas around the Panhandles that did receive substantial monsoonal rains in July and August are still somewhat green. However, all of the combined Panhandles are drying out quickly, especially with La Nina conditions kicking in, and rainfall deficits for the month of September have added to the year-to-date deficits.

The latest U.S Drought Monitor (USDM), updated and released on October 1st, has an area of Extreme Drought (D3) centered over Beaver, Oklahoma. While the rest of the surrounding areas of Beaver County are in Severe Drought (D2) and Moderate Drought (D1), half of Cimarron County, in the western Oklahoma Panhandle, is in the D2 category, mainly in the northern and northwestern parts of the county. Texas County has a small area of D2 in the far northwestern corner of the county. Most of the Texas Panhandle is either in no drought category or Abnormally Dry (D0) up to D2. There are areas of D3 in the southwestern and southeastern Texas Panhandle. Areas that missed out on those monsoonal rains, mainly southern Deaf Smith and southwestern Randall Counties, are starting to see Exceptional Drought (D4). 

 

Drought Monitor Two Month Drought Change
 Current Drought Conditions  2-Month Drought Change

 

 
Monthly Drought Outlook Seasonal Drought Outlook
Monthly Drought Outlook Seasonal Drought Outlook

 

 
Parlmer Drought Severity Index
Palmer Drought Severity Index

 

Precipitation

30-day Precipitation

 30-day Precipitation Departure from Normal

30-day Precipitation Percent of Normal
Precipitation Past 30 Days 30-Day Departure From Normal  30-Day % of Normal

 

 

60-day Precipitation
 

 60-day Precipitation Departure from Normal

60-day Precipitation Percent of Normal
 
Precipitation Past 60 Days 60-Day Departure From Normal 60-Day % of Normal

 

 

90-day Precipitation
 

 90-day Precipitation Departure from Normal

90-day Precipitation Percent of Normal
Precipitation Past 90 Days 90-Day Departure From Normal 90-Day % of Normal

 

 
6-month Precipitation
 6-month Precipitation Departure from Normal 6-month Precipitation Percent of Normal
 
Precipitation Past 6 Months 6-Month Departure From Normal 6-Month % of Normal

 

 

1-year Precipitation
 

 1-year Precipitation Departure from Normal

1-year Precipitation Percent of Normal
 
Precipitation Past 1 Year 1-Year Departure From Normal 1-Year % of Normal

 

 
3-year Precipitation 3-year Precipitation Departure from Normal 3-year Precipitation Percent of Normal
Precipitation Past 3 Years 3-Year Departure From Normal 3-Year % of Normal

 

Agricultural Impacts

Reports/bulletins issued by the US Department of Agriculture:

 

Current Crop Moisture Index Current Soil Moisture Current Soil Moisture Anomalies

 

Hydrological Impacts

Texas Streamflow Compared to Normal Oklahoma Streamflow Compared to Normal
Texas Streamflow Oklahoma Streamflow
Texas real-time streamflow compared to normal. Green is near normal, blue above normal, and orange/red are below normal. Oklahoma real-time streamflow compared to normal. Green is near normal, blue above normal, and orange/red are below normal.

 

 
Texas Reservoir Levels Oklahoma Reservoir Levels
Texas Reservoirs Oklahoma Reservoirs

 

 

 

Long-Range Outlooks

The below long-range outlook images are courtesy of the Climate Prediction Center (CPC)

 

  Temperature Precipitation
6-10 Day Outlook
8-14 Day Outlook  
1-Month Outlook    
3-Month Outlook    

 

Useful Resources

 

  • To report effects of the drought in your area, please go to the Drought Impact Reporter HERE.
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) official drought page can be found HERE.
  • United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Drought Page, including drought/disaster assistance can be found HERE.
  • National Climatic Data Center's (NCDC) drought page can be found HERE.
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