Drought Information Statement for West Texas & Southeast New Mexico Valid 02/6/2026 Issued By: WFO Midland/Odessa Contact Information: sr-maf.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated March 7, 2026 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/maf/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. U.S. Drought Monitor Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EST Feb 5th. DROUGHT CONDITIONS IMPROVED FOR PARTS OF WEST TEXAS AND SE NM. Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Small portions of Brewster and Presidio counties. D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions of Brewster and Presidio counties and into southeast New Mexico. D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of Brewster, Terrell, Jeff Davis, Culberson, Eddy and Presidio counties as well as the Permian Basin. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of Lea County into Reeves, Jeff Davis, Pecos, and Brewster counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of the eastern Permian Basin, Pecos, Jeff Davis, and northern Terrell counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. A one class degradation was made across the Permian Basin as a result of a dry January. A one class improvement was made across parts of SE New Mexico as two winter storms brought above normal precipitation. Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor 1-week change map valid 8am EST February 3rd. Precipitation With a winter storm bringing a mix of precipitation during mid to late January, areas from SE New Mexico south into the Davis Mountains and Big Bend saw near to well above normal amounts to begin the year. From Midland/Odessa west, near to below normal precipitation has been seen. Image Captions: Left - Precipitation Amount for West Texas and SE NM Right - Percent of Normal Precipitation for West Texas and SE NM Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. Data over the past 30 days ending February 5, 2025 Temperature Average temperatures begin to come up heading into February as the climatological minimum occurs around the beginning of January. Over the last month, an unusually cold stretch from mid to late January kept temperatures well below average to end the month and begin February. Image Captions: Left - Average Temperature Right - Departure from Normal Temperature Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. Data over the past 30 days ending February 5, 2025 Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Most area rivers and tributaries remain near baseflow. Area reservoirs are at 51.1% conservation capacity. See next page for more details. Agricultural Impacts Freeze damage from the recent cold spell was minimal on crops, but the precipitation that occurred did not significantly improve soil/crop moisture. Further impacts are detailed in the “Texas Crop and Weather Report”. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire weather impacts will be moderate as a mostly dry February is expected to continue. Above normal temperatures in the near term will also allow fuels to continue to cure. 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 The Rio Grande and Pecos River, associated tributaries, and a small portion of Beals Creek are below normal to low. All other river and tributary basins are normal. Midland Monthly Hydrology Report for December January Rainfall Image Caption: USGS 7 day streamflows for Texas, valid 05 February 2026 Reservoir Pool Elevation Current Elevation % Full JB Thomas 2258.00 2231.62 29.4 Colorado City 2070.20 2059.40 55.2 Champion Creek 2083.00 2061.96 41.1 Natural Dam Salt Lake 2457.00 M M Moss Creek 2337.00 2329.66 68.0 Brantley 3256.70 3245.55 44.0 Avalon 3177.40 3175.52 65.0 Red Bluff 2827.40 2817.62 55.2 Agricultural Impacts Recent precipitation has somewhat improved soil moisture in the region, but moisture amounts continue to remain below normal ranking in the bottom 10-30th percentiles. Crop moisture is near normal areawide given recent precipitation from the previous winter storm. Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid Feb 05, 2026 Right: Crop Moisture Index by Division. Weekly value for period ending Jan 31, 2026 Fire Hazard Impacts Wildfire potential remains normal to above normal across West Texas and southeast New Mexico. Forecasts continue to show below normal precipitation and above normal temperatures for February. This combination would be favorable for wildfire starts and growth as fuels would be more apt to cure. Image Caption: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for March 2026 Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center. Latest TX Burn Ban map available here. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Some precipitation is forecasted for much of the region over the next week. However, precipitation amounts remain meager and would not be enough to significantly change drought or wildfire conditions. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid Saturday February 07 to Saturday February 14 Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Released MM DD, YYYY valid for MM-MM YYYY Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The outlook for the rest of the month shows drought persisting for much of the region as February is expected to see below normal precipitation. Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Released 01 31, 2026 valid for 02 2025