Texas Panhandle drought improves after tropical storm moisture

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The Texas Water Development Board reported that the Texas Panhandle and a large area of South Texas showed notable drought condition improvement in the last week of July in the wake of Tropical Storm Alberto.

In the most recent “Water Weekly” report from the TWDB, overall drought conditions across Texas stood at 25% compared to 30% one week ago and 24% three months ago and one year ago.

Most counties in the Texas Panhandle were noted as experiencing “abnormally dry” drought conditions, with a handful of counties in the northeastern corner and along the western edge experiencing “moderate” drought conditions. However, the drought distribution had appeared to decrease from the previous week.

The TWDB noted that Tropical Storm Alberto brought Texas its largest one-week decrease in drought area in five months, though drought conditions remained up to an “extreme” level in some parts of South-Central and West Texas.

Further, the TWDB noted that Tropical Storm Alberto not only helped improve statewide drought conditions but increased storage in Lake Falcon in South Texas by about 3.5% in two weeks, the largest two-week increase since April 2023. However, the recovery of water storage reservoirs such as Lake Falcon is sure to take more time and require far more steady moisture.

For the latest Amarillo news and regional updates, check with MyHighPlains.com and tune in to KAMR Local 4 News at 5:00, 6:00, and 10:00 p.m. and Fox 14 News at 9:00 p.m. CST.