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 January 2, 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
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor for [region]
Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor valid 7am EST Nov 26th.
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): Portions of Brewster and Presidio counties.
D2 (Severe Drought): Portions of Brewster, Terrell, Jeff Davis, Culberson, Eddy and Presidio counties.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Portions of Lea County into Reeves, Jeff Davis, Pecos, and Brewster counties.
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Portions of Lea, Loving, Reeves, Pecos, Ward, and Crane counties as well as parts of the Permian Basin. 

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Link to the latest 1-week change map for [region]
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
No changes were made across the CWA in the last week. 
Image Caption: U.S. Drought Monitor 1-week change map valid 7am EST November 26th. 

Precipitation
Much of the region saw below normal precipitation with only small portions of the southeast Permian Basin receiving any significant rainfall. 

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 November 30, 2025

Temperature
Average temperatures dip quickly heading into late fall and into early winter. However, average temperatures were solidly 3-7 degrees above normal across nearly the entirety of West Texas and southeast New Mexico. 
Image Captions: 
Left - Average Temperature
Right - Departure from Normal Temperature
Data Courtesy High Plains Regional Climate Center. 
Data over the past 30 days ending November 30, 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 51.2% conservation capacity.  See next page for more details.
Agricultural Impacts
A lack of fall rain has allowed soil moisture to worsen across much of the region. Further impacts are detailed in the “Texas Crop and Weather Report”.
Fire Hazard Impacts
Fire weather impacts will be low to moderate as dry conditions and the onset of colder temperatures allow fuels/vegetation to go dormant and 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, the West Texas Pecos River, and Beals Creek, as well as associated tributaries, are much below normal to below normal.

All other river and tributary basins, are normal to above normal.

Midland Monthly Hydrology Report for October

November Rainfall

Image Caption: USGS 7 day streamflows for Texas, 
valid 30 November 2025
Reservoir Pool 
Elevation 
Current Elevation
% Full
JB Thomas
2258.00
2232.64
31.3
Colorado City
2070.20
2059.80
56.7
Champion Creek
2083.00
2062.35
42.0
Natural Dam Salt Lake
2457.00
M
M
Moss Creek
2337.00
2331.10
75.0
Brantley
3256.70
3245.55
44.0
Avalon
3177.40
3175.16
58.0
Red Bluff
2827.40
2816.53
51.5

Agricultural Impacts
Continued dry conditions through November have allowed soil moisture to drop with much of the region ranking in the 30th percentile and lower. 
Crop moisture is near to below normal areawide due in part to harvests taking place and a reliance on using supplemental water for the end of the growing season. 
Image Captions: 
Left: CPC Calculated Soil Moisture Ranking Percentile valid Nov 30, 2025
Right: Crop Moisture Index by Division. Weekly value for period ending Nov 29, 2025

Fire Hazard Impacts
Wildfire potential remains normal to above normal across West Texas and southeast New Mexico. Heading into winter, colder, drier air allows vegetation to go dormant and begin to rapidly cure. Generally, stronger winds and less precipitation increase the threat for fire spread/growth if fires begin. 

Image Caption: Significant Wildland Fire Potential Monthly Outlook for January 2026
Link to Wildfire Potential Outlooks from the National Interagency Coordination Center.
Latest TX Burn Ban map available here.

Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Little precipitation in the forecast for the next week with only small amounts possible across the Big Bend and areas to the south and east.

Image Caption: Weather Prediction Center 7-day precipitation forecast valid Tuesday December 02 to Tuesday December 09

Image Caption: 
Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
The outlook for December shows drought remaining or expanding across the region. Not only is December one of the drier months for the region, but the outlook remains dry through at least mid-December.
Image Caption: 
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Released 11 30, 2025 valid for 12 2025
Links to the latest:
Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook 
Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook