National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Weather and Heavy Rain Along the Central Gulf Coast; Pacific Storm in the Northwest

Showers and thunderstorms pose a risk for a couple of tornadoes, occasional damaging gusts, and some scattered flash flooding along the central Gulf Coast. A Pacific storm system continues to bring gusty winds, lower elevation rain, and hazardous mountain snow to the northwestern U.S.. Read More >

Drought Information

 


 

Drought conditions are redeveloping across western North and Central Texas in response to the growing rainfall deficit through late summer and early fall. Though October is climatologically the wettest month of the year, the current outlooks for the next 1-3 months favor below normal precipitation making the development/expansion of drought conditions increasingly likely.

 


Current Drought Conditions

  

U.S. Drought Monitor

 

U.S. Drought Monitor - North and Central Texas

 

U.S. Drought Monitor - Texas

 


Fire Danger

  

With winter dormancy ongoing, any extended period without precipitation could reignite wildfire concerns.  The days with the greatest potential for fire initiation and spread are those that are sunny and warm with low humidity and breezy winds.  This potential will diminish with the onset of the spring growing season.

Even if a formal burn ban is not in effect for your area, it is still important to be vigilant about fire usageAvoid open flames near dry vegetation, and assure all coals and embers are fully extinguished. 

 

Texas Outdoor Burn Bans

Keetch-Byram Drought Index

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is a drought statistic specifically designed to assess fire danger.

 

 


 Drought Links

 

 National Integrated Drought Information System

 National Drought Mitigation Center

  Drought Impact Reporter

  Precipitation Estimates

  Lake Levels