SUMMARY: NOAA projects a 60 percent chance of a more active Atlantic hurricane season this year. Drought conditions decreased over the past month (from 16 to 11 percent of the state), but abnormally dry conditions or worse increased from 28 to 38 percent. The state is projected to be warmer than normal though the summer with the Rio Grande region suffering the brunt of higher temperatures.
Author: Robert Mace
Robert Mace is the Executive Director and Chief Water Policy Officer at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and a Professor of Practice in the Department of Geography at Texas State University. Robert has over 30 years of experience in hydrology, hydrogeology, stakeholder processes, and water policy, mostly in Texas.
outlook+water: April 2020
SUMMARY: The last month was dry for most of the state, but…with recent rains along the Gulf Coast, statewide drought conditions have decreased. We anticipate improving drought conditions along much of the Gulf Coast and Lower Rio Grande areas with persistent drought flirting with the Texas Panhandle.
outlook+water: March 2020
SUMMARY: Drought—including exceptional drought—is focused on the southeastern two-fifths of the state. Drought is expected to remain in this area through June. Wash your hands and only flush toilet paper!
outlook+water: February 2020
SUMMARY: Last year was the 17th warmest and the 62nd driest in Texas for our 125-year record. Almost half of the state—the southeastern half—remains at least abnormally dry. The next three months are projected to be warmer than normal with most of the state having an equal chance of drier-than-normal and wetter-than-normal conditions.
outlook+water: January 2020
SUMMARY: Rainfall continues to be less than normal for this time of year for much of the state. Drought coverage remains about the same at 37 percent from four weeks ago. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook through April 30, 2020, projects scattered drought-removal across the state but with scattered drought remaining.