The recent winter storm in Texas is unlikely to provide meaningful, immediate improvement to the longterm drought conditions due to the nature of the precipitation and subfreezing temperatures which limits immediate water absorption into the ground and reservoirs.
Prior to this storm, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicated that drought conditions had worsened in many parts of the state, with about 91% of the state experiencing moderate or worse drought and 63% in drought conditions.
Persistent above-normal temperatures and among one of the driest six-month periods on record have accelerated drought conditions across much of the state, said John Nielsen-Gammon, Ph.D., Texas state climatologist and Regents Fellow in the Texas A&M College of Arts and Sciences Department of Atmospheric Sciences.
September through October, historically one of the state’s wettest periods, shoed some of the highest rainfall declines since 2000, removing the opportunity to restore soil moisture profiles going into winter.
The South Plains district remained very dry with windy conditions. Temperatures varied but were above average for January. Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels were low and moisture was needed for pastures and croplands. Producers have been preparing for the upcoming crop season by irrigating fields.
Winter wheat, pastures and range were reported to be in poor to fair condition, with cattle in fair to good condition, depending on supplemental feeding and winter grazing.