Texas Panhandle sees slight drought improvement in July, but remains mostly dry

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The most recent report from the Texas Water Development Board showed that drought conditions improved slightly in the Texas Panhandle as well as elsewhere in the state over the last week amid forecasts for further upcoming rain in the High Plains area.

In the most recent “Water Weekly” report from the TWDB, overall drought conditions across Texas stood at 25% compared to 26% one week ago, 25% three months ago and 31% one year ago.

Although most counties in the Texas Panhandle reported continued “abnormally dry” conditions in the second week of July, some areas of the eastern edge and northeast corner saw drought improve from “moderate” conditions.

The TWDB noted on its most recent drought map that drought conditions improved slightly in parts of the Panhandle as well as Central and South Texas, though worsened in a smaller portion of West Texas.

Further, the TWDB reviewed drought condition changes throughout Texas for the month of June, which saw mostly stagnation or slight improvement in a mixed bag for conditions in the Texas Panhandle, with drought improvement focused along the northernmost five counties.

Drought conditions also improved in South Texas due to Tropical Storm Alberto, although it did not give much help to area water supplies. Although Hurricane Beryl arrived in early July to batter East Texas, that area was already out of drought conditions and the full breadth of the storm did little to ease drought in other parts of the state.

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