Drought Information Statement for West Texas & Southeast New Mexico Valid 07/29/2025 Issued By: WFO Midland/Odessa Contact Information: sr-maf.webmaster@noaa.gov This product will be updated August 29, 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/maf/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. [area] can be a single WFO CWA, or can be a different geographic area in the case of collaborated products Webmaster email or public phone line likely preferred, but individuals may choose to include their contact information directly. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 8am EST July 22nd. DROUGHT CONDITIONS GREATLY IMPROVED FOR WEST TEXAS AND SE NM. Drought intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): Small portions of Brewster and Presidio counties. D3 (Extreme Drought): Much of Brewster and Presidio counties as well as portions of Culberson, Jeff Davis, and Terrell counties. D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of Brewster, Terrell, Jeff Davis, Culberson, and Eddy counties. D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of Eddy and Lea County into Reeves, Jeff Davis, Pecos, and Brewster counties. D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Lea, Loving, Reeves, Pecos, Ward, and Crane counties. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 1-week change map for [region] One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. A one class improvement was made across much of the Davis Mountains, Presidio and Brewster counties, northward into Culberson County. No changes were made across the rest of the region. Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor 1-week change map valid 8am EST July 22nd. Precipitation The end of June and beginning of July brought significant precipitation to a large portion of the West Texas and southeast New Mexico. Many areas are well above normal over the past month and many locations are at or above normal for the first time in months. 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 July 27, 2024 Temperature Average temperatures always increase heading into July with peak temperatures occurring in mid to late July. However, given ample precipitation over the region, most of the area is a degree or two below normal for the month of July. Image Captions: Left - Average Temperature Right - Departure from Normal Temperature Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. Data over the past 30 days ending July 27, 2024 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 55.5% conservation capacity. See next page for more details. Agricultural Impacts Plenty of summer rain over the course of June and July will have improved soil and crop moisture across much of the ranchlands. Fire Hazard Impacts Fire weather impacts will be low in August. Fuels remain in good condition thanks to continued low level moisture and recent wetting rains. However, any prolonged hot and dry conditions can quickly cure fuels. 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 West Texas portion of the Pecos River, and associated tributaries, as well as the Rio Grande, are below normal. All other river and tributary basins, including the Delaware River, are normal to much above normal. Midland Monthly Hydrology Report for June July Rainfall Image Caption: USGS 7 day streamflows for Texas, valid 28 July 2025 Reservoir Pool Elevation Current Elevation % Full JB Thomas 2258.00 2235.83 37.7 Colorado City 2070.20 2061.73 63.9 Champion Creek 2083.00 2064.29 46.3 Natural Dam Salt Lake 2457.00 2447.28 48.4 Moss Creek 2337.00 2332.01 78.0 Brantley 3256.70 3249.85 63.0 Avalon 3177.40 3175.01 56.0 Red Bluff 2827.40 2816.17 50.3 Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture has improved across the Permian Basin and areas near the Pecos River Valley where summer rains have helped. Soil moisture now in the 30th percentile or better across much of West Texas. The Crop Moisture Index shows areas of below normal moisture for crops, but recent rains have significantly improved crop conditions. Image Captions: Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid July 28, 2025 Right: Crop Moisture Index by Division. Weekly value for period ending July 26, 2025 Fire Hazard Impacts Wildfire potential remains normal for mid to late summer. Recent rains and a continued supply low level moisture has kept fuels moist across West Texas and southeast New Mexico. Still plenty of summer left to dry finer fuels if above average temperatures and generally drier conditions take hold. However, plant material has greened up significantly since early Spring. Image Caption: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for August 2025 Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Little precipitation in the forecast for the next week for the region. Areas in the higher terrain of West Texas have the best chance at rain with lower chances across the rest of the area. Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid Tuesday July 29 to Tuesday August 05 Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook Released 06 30, 2025 valid for 07 2025 Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The outlook for July shows drought improvement, but persisting. For now, this is in line with all of the recent rain West Texas/southeast New Mexico has received, but it has not been enough to entirely remove drought from the region. Image Caption: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Released 06 30, 2025 valid for 07 2025 Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook