The West Texas Mesonet measured just 11.73 inches of moisture at its Levelland weather recording site south of the city during 2022.
That compares to 17.03 inches recorded in 2021, 7.3 inches recorded in 2020 and 12.00 inches recorded in 2019.
Last year is frequently compared to 2011 when just 4.75 inches of rainfall was recorded.
From 2012 through 2018, local rainfall reports were close to the historic average of 18 inches. In 2012, the site recorded 12.11 inches; in 2013, it was 13.50 inches; in 2014, the measurement was 18.02 inches; in 2015, it was 28.01 inches; in 2016, it was 17.15 inches; in 2017, the site reported 17.92 inches.
Just a half inch of moisture was recorded during the month of December while nearly an inch was recorded during the month of November.
Over two inches of rain were recorded during October while just over .35 of an inch was recorded in September.
Extreme drought with little rainfall was recorded in the first four months of 2022 as just .19 of an inch fell in January, nothing was recorded in February, just .06 of an inch was recorded in March and no moisture was recorded in April.
Just under three inches fell in May and a little over an inch was recorded in May. A little over an inch was recorded in June but less than a inch was recorded in July. The year-to-date rainfall report at the end of August was just 7.59 inches as 2.42 inches of rainfall were recorded that month.
The West Texas Mesonet site has been recording local weather since 2001.
The West Texas Mesonet site reported just 9.80 inches of moisture during 2022 at its site east of Morton.
That compares to 16.86 inches recorded during 2021; 9.11 inches in 2020; 14.89 in 2019; 15.79 in 2018; 18.93 during 2017; 19.25 during 2016; 21.13 during 2015; 16.38 during 2014; 12.16 during 2013; 11.14 during 2012 and 6.01 inches during 2011.
Last year, the Morton site recorded just .35 of an inch in January, just .04 and .03 in February and March and nothing in April. During May, 1.95 inches were recorded while .28 was recorded in June and .54 was recorded in July. A total of 3.78 of an inch was recorded in August, .40 of an inch in September, 1.37 was recorded in October .90 of an inch was recorded in November and .22 of an inch was recorded in December.
The Sundown Mesonet site on the Mallet Ranch recorded a total of 13.36 inches of moisture during 2022 with 5.31 inches recorded in August. In 2021, it recorded 17.41 inches. In 2011, it measured 5.09 inches of moisture.
The Anton Mesonet site recorded 14.28 inches of moisture during 2022 with 3.59 inches measured in May and 4.41 inches recorded in August.
In 2021 the Anton site recorded 16.63 inches and in 2020 it recorded 7.02 inches. In 2011, it measured 5.60 inches.