After the hottest year on record for the Texas Panhandle and South Plains marked by long periods of drought, significant winter precipitation has lifted most of the region out of drought conditions.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday shows most of the region is seeing normal conditions as it relates to precipitation and ground moisture, and forecasts show that’s likely to remain the case for the foreseeable future.
The map shows only a small portion of the region on the edge of eastern New Mexico under “abnormally dry” or “moderate” drought conditions.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services, around 97% of Texas was experiencing some level of drought in late September with approximately two-thirds of the state in “severe” to “exceptional” drought — the three highest levels of drought of five.
As of early January, the state had dropped to drought levels of about 57% with only 13% under severe to extreme drought. None of the state was considered to be under exceptional drought.