Droughts and dry conditions continue across parts of Texas, affecting farmland and water supplies.
Severe drought stress remains, although recent winter storms provided brief relief to dried-out soil.
A February update from NOAA’s drought outlook suggests short-term improvement is possible with March precipitation. Most of winter was quite dry, with one of the driest Decembers on record and higher than normal temperatures, which did little to help improve soil moisture or reservoir levels.
Drought conditions are expected to persist across the South Plains this spring, even as seasonal forecasts suggest the possibility of periodic rainfall, according to federal climate officials.
Current US Drought Monitor conditions still have parts of West Texas in moderate to severe drought, primarily due to a lack of soil moisture and little to no precipitation during the past several months. Across the South Plains and specifically in Hockley County, dry conditions are a major concern with spring planting seasons right around the corner.
NOAA forecasters say drier weather is due to La Niña (a change in weather patterns that can bring drier air specifically to the South Plains). A return to a neutral state is expected in March and April. However, the current NOAA Seasonal Drought Outlook still shows drought is likely to persist for much of West Texas through spring.
While individual storms can give us a break from the heat on a given day, the overall trend in soil moisture remains a concern for cotton and other row crops. Soil in most areas of the South Plains remains drier than what's optimal for these types of crops.
Heavy rain, not scattered showers, will be necessary to restore the soil to a more fitting state. Planting season is right around the corner, and there’s uncertainty regarding spring precipitation in West Texas. While it would be ideal to receive some heavy rains to improve drought conditions, that appears unlikely at this time, based on recent forecasts from federal agencies and expectations regarding future drought conditions in the South Plains.
While producers in West Texas are used to tough conditions, they may still need assistance with soil problems, which cam be found by call the Hockley County AgriLife Extension office at 806-894-3159.