Drought Information Statement for South Texas Valid February 5, 2025 Issued By: NWS Corpus Christi, TX Contact Information: sr-crp.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated by March 7, 2025 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly. Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/crp/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements.. January experienced near normal precipitation with much cooler than normal temperatures Drought continues across the region but there were slight improvements over the Victoria Crossroads Greater likelihood for above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation through February 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): None D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of La Salle, McMullen, Live Oak, Bee, and San Patricio counties D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of La Salle, McMullen, Live Oak, Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Calhoun, Refugio, Aransas, San Patricio, Nueces, Kleberg, Jim Wells, Duval, and Webb counties D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Webb, Goliad, Victoria, Calhoun, Refugio, and Aransas counties Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Small portions of Live Oak, McMullen, La Salle, and a sliver bordering the counties of Nueces, San Patricio, and Jim Wells. No Change: Portions of La Salle, McMullen, Live Oak, Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Calhoun, Refugio, Aransas, San Patricio, Nueces, Kleberg, Jim Wells, Duval and Webb counties Drought Improved: Portions of Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Calhoun, Refugio, Aransas, and San Patricio counties. Precipitation Most of South Texas received 75-125% of normal precipitation. Portions of La Salle, Duval, Refugio, Aransas, and Calhoun counties received notable below normal precipitation. Around 1.5” or less fell over Duval, McMullen, La Salle, and Webb counties. Eastward, totals ranged generally from 1.5-3.0”. South Texas Rainfall Temperature Max temperatures were 1 to 3 degrees below normal over the last 7 days of January. Max temperatures were well below normal (6-8 degrees) over the month of January. Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts The Corpus Christi city council gave the city manager approval to proceed with brokering contracts with landowners for lease sites for wells. The council’s vote set aside about $2 million for contracts that would support the first year of groundwater pumping from the wells. The wells were among several water supply projects the city has been exploring as Stage 3 water restrictions continued. Lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon were at 18.7% combined capacity as of Feb. 5th. Agricultural Impacts (https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/tag/texas-crop-and-weather-report/) Coastal Bend: Light rain showers and cloudy days kept fields and pastures wet and prevented fieldwork. Preplant fertilizer was applied to corn fields, and producers were preparing equipment for the upcoming planting season. Winter grasses and volunteer clover were growing well with recent moisture and fair temperatures. Hay and protein feeding continued for livestock, though cool-season forages were improving. South: Temperatures were as low as 38 degrees at night with daytime highs in the 70s. No measurable rainfall was reported, though some areas reported fog and morning dew. Topsoil moisture conditions were still poor in most areas with some reports of adequate conditions. Most parts of the district needed additional rain to prepare for the upcoming planting season. Farmers and row crop producers prepared fields to plant corn and sorghum in hopes of taking advantage of adequate soil moisture… Citrus producers continued to harvest and evaluate potential damage to fruit and trees after the recent freeze. Oat fields continued to progress and were in excellent condition. Onions and other vegetables looked good and recovered from the freeze while leafy greens showed signs of freeze damage… Range and pastures continued to suffer due to the recent freeze with most pastures displaying burnt tops. Standing forage was dry and was posing a fire danger. Conditions were very tough on livestock and wildlife with the wet and cool weather and poor range and pasture conditions. Producers continued to supplement livestock diets with hay and protein, and some producers were hauling water. Some cattle producers burned prickly pear for their cattle. Hay was in high demand, resulting in price increases. Feed costs were also high at local stores. One local beef cattle market reported above-average sale volumes after the winter storm prevented the previous week’s sale. Feeder calf prices continued to climb and were at an all-time high. Prices on cull cows and bulls were strong as well. Summary of Impacts Fire Hazard Impacts Moderate fire danger at this time Other Impacts Corpus Christi under stage 3 water restrictions (https://www.cctexas.com/) Portland under stage 3 water restrictions (https://www.portlandtx.com/399/Drought-Management-Plan) Laredo under stage 3 water restrictions (https://laredoutilities.com/water-conservation-program/) Alice under stage 3 restrictions (https://www.alicetx.com/2024/03/11/city-of-alice-enters-stage-2-moderate-drought-restriction/#/) Bishop under stage 3 water restrictions (https://southtexascommunitynews.com/stcn/bishop-under-stage-2-water-restrictions#gsc.tab=0) Rockport under stage 3 water restrictions (https://www.rockporttx.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/3440) Other South Texas communities under restrictions can be found here Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. USGS 7-Day Avg Streamflow | Texas Reservoirs Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts Flows are below to much below normal across much of the region. Reservoir Pool Elevation (ft) Current Elevation (ft) Choke Canyon. 220.5 187.13 Lake Corpus Christi 94.0 81.01 Lake Texana 44.0 38.94 Coleto Creek 98.0 96.69 Canyon Lake 909.0 879.91 Lake Amistad 1117.0 1051.20 Reservoir values as of Feb 5, 2025 Soil Moisture | Crop Moisture Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is below normal across the region. Crop moisture is severely dry across South Texas Fire Hazard Impacts Burn Bans in place across most of South Texas Above Normal significant wildfire potential through March Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Up to around 0.1” of rain is forecast over the next 7 days across South Texas. Rapid Onset Drought Outlook Summarize conditions and impacts here Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Greater chances for below normal precipitation through February Greater chances for above normal temperatures through February Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal drought outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are expected to persist or develop across South Texas over the next few months.