Texas Panhandle drought worsens again after weeks of improvement, aligns with seasonal predictions

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The Texas Water Development Board reported that the state of Texas and the Texas Panhandle saw a notable worsening of drought during the first week of August, slipping away from what had been some of the best conditions since October 2021.

The TWDB reported in its most recent “Water Weekly” that drought conditions impacted 24% of the state after the first week of August, compared to 20% one week ago, 26% three months ago and 69% one year ago.

Drought conditions were shown worsening for the first time in the last six weeks, according to the TWDB, with large areas of the Panhandle and West Texas experiencing at least one category of drought degradation.

A marked shift for the Texas Panhandle, most of its easternmost counties reported “moderate” drought conditions in the most weekly report and “abnormally dry” conditions elsewhere, compared to previous weeks in which most of its counties reported only dry or drought-free conditions.

Although the easternmost counties of the Texas Panhandle were reported to have the most severe drought conditions in the area after the first week of August, the TWDB noted that those counties previously reported the area’s highest precipitation averages in July. Meanwhile, the rest of the Texas Panhandle reported lower-than-average precipitation for July, despite the state as a whole reporting higher amounts.

July rainfall in Texas averaged 3.74 inches statewide, well above normal, according to the TWDB, with four counties in East Texas recording their wettest July in 130 years. However, the Texas Panhandle and North and West Texas received below-normal precipitation – which falls in line with previous seasonal drought forecasts.

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