Texas drought

Is Milam County in a drought?

D2 Severe drought

Yes. All of Milam County is in drought on the Drought Monitor map of Sep 15, 2026, the worst of it severe drought (D2) across <0.1% of the county. The share in drought grew from 94.5% a week earlier. It has been in drought since the week of Aug 25, 2026.

Map valid Sep 15, 2026, released Thursday, Sep 17, 2026. The next map is due Thursday, Sep 24, 2026. Statewide, 81% of Texas is in drought.

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Radar

Reflectivity now over Milam County, Texas. Open it to see the Drought Monitor on the map.

Open the live radar with the Drought Monitor

Radar mosaic and map layers from NOAA MRMS. Boundaries from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

This week's map, by category

Percent of Milam County in each category or worse, the Drought Monitor's own way of counting. In exactly one category this week: D0 0%, D1 100%, D2 <0.1%, D3 0%, D4 0%; none 0%.

CategoryThis weekSep 15Last weekSep 83 months agoJun 16A year agoSep 16
D0 to D4 Abnormally dry or worse100%100%2.5%49.5%
D1 to D4 Moderate or worse100%94.5%0%1.8%
D2 to D4 Severe or worse<0.1%<0.1%0%0%
D3 to D4 Extreme or worse0%0%0%0%
D4 Exceptional drought0%0%0%0%
None0%0%97.5%50.5%

The past year

Percent of Milam County in each category, week by week. Each color includes the worse categories drawn over it.

Percent of Milam County in drought categories from Sep 16, 2025 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 100% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 100% is abnormally dry or worse.0%25%50%75%100%OctNovDec2026FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSep
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought
Every week in the chart
MapD0+D1+D2+D3+D4+
Sep 15, 2026100%100%<0.1%0%0%
Sep 8, 2026100%94.5%<0.1%0%0%
Sep 1, 2026100%94.5%0%0%0%
Aug 25, 2026100%94.5%0%0%0%
Aug 18, 202694.5%0%0%0%0%
Aug 11, 202611.1%0%0%0%0%
Aug 4, 20260.1%0%0%0%0%
Jul 28, 20260.1%0%0%0%0%
Jul 21, 20260.1%0%0%0%0%
Jul 14, 20260.1%0%0%0%0%
Jul 7, 20260.1%0%0%0%0%
Jun 30, 20260.1%0%0%0%0%
Jun 23, 20262.4%0%0%0%0%
Jun 16, 20262.5%0%0%0%0%
Jun 9, 202614.5%0%0%0%0%
Jun 2, 2026100%23.4%0%0%0%
May 26, 2026100%23.4%0%0%0%
May 19, 2026100%55.3%0%0%0%
May 12, 2026100%55.3%0%0%0%
May 5, 2026100%100%12.6%0%0%
Apr 28, 2026100%100%100%3.5%0%
Apr 21, 2026100%100%100%15.6%0%
Apr 14, 2026100%100%100%25.4%0%
Apr 7, 2026100%100%100%25.4%0%
Mar 31, 2026100%100%100%33.3%0%
Mar 24, 2026100%100%100%15.3%0%
Mar 17, 2026100%100%100%15.3%0%
Mar 10, 2026100%100%90.2%15.3%0%
Mar 3, 2026100%100%90.2%15.3%0%
Feb 24, 2026100%100%90.2%15.3%0%
Feb 17, 2026100%100%90.2%10.9%0%
Feb 10, 2026100%100%90.2%10.9%0%
Feb 3, 2026100%100%90.2%10.9%0%
Jan 27, 2026100%100%90.2%7.4%0%
Jan 20, 2026100%100%96.5%7.6%0%
Jan 13, 2026100%100%68.2%0%0%
Jan 6, 2026100%94%32.5%0%0%
Dec 30, 2025100%93.9%3.2%0%0%
Dec 23, 2025100%24.2%3.2%0%0%
Dec 16, 202541.6%24.2%0.2%0%0%
Dec 9, 202541.6%24.2%0%0%0%
Dec 2, 202541.6%24.2%0%0%0%
Nov 25, 2025100%24.2%0%0%0%
Nov 18, 2025100%24.2%0%0%0%
Nov 11, 2025100%24.2%0%0%0%
Nov 4, 202577.4%24.6%0%0%0%
Oct 28, 202577.2%24.6%0%0%0%
Oct 21, 2025100%95.1%24.7%0%0%
Oct 14, 2025100%20.7%6.9%0%0%
Oct 7, 2025100%20.6%6.9%0%0%
Sep 30, 202599.3%20.6%6.9%0%0%
Sep 23, 202599.3%15.6%0%0%0%
Sep 16, 202549.5%1.8%0%0%0%

Since 2000

Every weekly map of Milam County since January 2000.

Percent of Milam County in drought categories from Jan 4, 2000 to Sep 15, 2026. On the latest map, 100% is in drought (D1 or worse) and 100% is abnormally dry or worse.0%25%50%75%100%200420082012201620202024
  • D0 Abnormally dry
  • D1 Moderate drought
  • D2 Severe drought
  • D3 Extreme drought
  • D4 Exceptional drought
Year by year
YearWorst categoryMost in droughtWeek ofWeeks with drought
2026D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 1326 of 37
2025D2 Severe drought100%Jan 736 of 52
2024D2 Severe drought100%Oct 1522 of 53
2023D4 Exceptional drought100%Aug 839 of 52
2022D3 Extreme drought100%Jul 1933 of 52
2021D1 Moderate drought100%Apr 68 of 52
2020D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 727 of 52
2019D3 Extreme drought100%Sep 320 of 53
2018D3 Extreme drought100%Feb 633 of 52
2017D2 Severe drought98%Dec 58 of 52
2016D1 Moderate drought93.6%Aug 94 of 52
2015D4 Exceptional drought100%Aug 1812 of 52
2014D2 Severe drought100%Feb 2525 of 52
2013D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 144 of 53
2012D4 Exceptional drought100%Jan 349 of 52
2011D4 Exceptional drought100%Jan 452 of 52
2010D3 Extreme drought100%Dec 714 of 52
2009D4 Exceptional drought100%Jan 642 of 52
2008D4 Exceptional drought100%Jun 1730 of 53
2007D2 Severe drought61.1%Jan 24 of 52
2006D3 Extreme drought100%Jan 352 of 52
2005D2 Severe drought100%Jul 518 of 52
2004D0 Abnormally dry0%0 of 52
2003D2 Severe drought100%May 208 of 52
2002D1 Moderate drought100%May 285 of 53
2001D1 Moderate drought100%Aug 72 of 52
2000D2 Severe drought100%Jan 434 of 52

Drought history since 2000

Some part of Milam County was in drought on 46% of the weekly maps since Jan 4, 2000, and exceptional drought (D4) last reached the county the week of Oct 24, 2023.

Weeks with some drought
647 of 1,394 (46%)
Worst category reached
D4 Exceptional drought, last the week of Oct 24, 2023
Most widespread
100% in drought, week of Sep 15, 2026
Longest spell
81 weeks, Oct 26, 2010 to May 8, 2012
Current spell
4 weeks, since Aug 25, 2026

Outlook

The Climate Prediction Center's drought outlooks at the center of Milam County: whether drought is expected to develop, persist, improve or end.

Monthly outlook, Sep 2026
Drought persists
Seasonal outlook, through December 31 (issued Sep 17)
Drought removal likely

The monthly outlook is issued on the last day of each month, the seasonal one on the third Thursday. CPC's discussion.

What drought has meant in Texas

The National Drought Mitigation Center's examples of impacts observed in Texas at each level of drought, starting with this week's worst here.

D2 Severe drought This week

  • Hydroelectric power is compromised; well water use increases; mandatory water restrictions are implemented
  • Pasture conditions are very poor
  • Soil is hard, hindering planting; crop yields decrease
  • Wildfire danger is severe; burn bans are implemented
  • Wildlife moves into populated areas

D0 Abnormally dry

  • Grass fires increase
  • Planting is postponed; forage germination is stunted; hay cutting is reduced
  • Producers begin supplemental feeding for livestock
  • Surface water levels decline

D1 Moderate drought

  • Dryland crops are stunted
  • Early cattle sales begin
  • Stock tanks, creeks, streams are low; voluntary water restrictions are requested
  • Wildfire frequency increases

D3 Extreme drought

  • Increased risk of large wildfires is noted
  • Many sectors experience financial burden
  • Need for supplemental feed, nutrients, protein, and water for livestock increases; herds are sold
  • Row and forage crops fail to germinate; decreased yields for irrigated crops and very large yield reduction for dryland crops are reported
  • Severe fish, plant, and wildlife loss reported
  • Soil has large cracks; soil moisture is very low; dust and sand storms occur
  • Water sanitation is a concern; reservoir levels drop significantly; surface water is nearly dry; river flow is very low; salinity increases in bays and estuaries

D4 Exceptional drought

  • Boat ramps are closed; obstacles are exposed in water bodies; water levels are at or near historic lows
  • Culling continues; producers wean calves early and liquidate herds due to importation of hay and water expenses
  • Devastating algae blooms occur; water quality is very poor
  • Exceptional and widespread crop loss is reported; rangeland is dead; producers are not planting fields
  • Exceptional water shortages are noted across surface water sources; water table is declining
  • Extreme sensitivity to fire danger; firework restrictions are implemented
  • Seafood, forestry, tourism, and agriculture sectors report significant financial loss
  • Widespread tree mortality is reported; most wildlife species’ health and population are suffering

Drawn from the Drought Impact Reporter and local observers.

Burn bans and water restrictions

The Drought Monitor does not issue burn bans or water restrictions. Milam County's officials, the state forestry or fire agency, and local water utilities set them, often once drought reaches D2 or dry fuels raise the fire danger. Check the county's emergency management office or fire marshal for a ban in force, and the alerts page for red flag warnings and fire weather watches.

This week in the South

The Drought Monitor authors' narrative for the map of Sep 15, 2026, released Sep 17, 2026.

Extremely above normal temperatures continued in this region over the past week. Nearly all locations had drought deterioration, with the exceptions of northern Arkansas, northeastern Oklahoma, and coastal Mississippi. Much of Texas and into the Ark-La-Tex area experienced flash drought conditions. In addition to the heat, these areas received little rainfall in the week. Extreme to exceptional drought conditions are noted in far south Texas, most of northern Texas into western and southern Oklahoma, northwestern and northeastern Arkansas, and along the Arkansas-Mississippi border.

Looking ahead

Over the next five days leading up to next Tuesday, above normal rainfall is forecast in south Florida as well as a large area in southern Wisconsin and Minnesota into eastern Iowa and northern Illinois. The latter area of forecasted rainfall continues to the east through central Michigan, the southern Great Lakes, Pennsylvania, New York, and much of central and southern New England. Other locations with rainfall in the forecast this week are in the Appalachian Mountains, the western Great Plains, and the Four Corners states. Unfortunately, most of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are forecast to receive little rainfall. Dry conditions are also forecast in California, Nevada, and Washington. Much above normal temperatures are forecast to continue this week in the central and southern U.S.

The 6- to 10-day outlook (September 22-26, 2026) favors above normal temperatures continuing over nearly all of the continental United States. Areas most likely to be above normal are again the south into the southeast, plus the far north. Hawaii is also likely to be above normal. For precipitation, the Eastern Seaboard is likely to have above normal rainfall as is the Southwest. The central U.S. into the upper Midwest is likely to have below normal rainfall. Hawaii and Alaska are both likely to have above normal rain during this period.

Written by Lindsay Johnson, National Drought Mitigation Center; David Mocko, SSAI, NASA/GSFC. The national narrative.

What this means

The five categories the Drought Monitor draws, and how the map is made.

D0 Abnormally dry
Going into or coming out of drought.
D1 Moderate drought
Some damage to crops and pastures; water shortages developing.
D2 Severe drought
Crop or pasture losses likely; water restrictions imposed.
D3 Extreme drought
Major crop and pasture losses; widespread water shortages.
D4 Exceptional drought
Exceptional and widespread losses; water emergencies.

The US Drought Monitor is drawn every week by authors at the National Drought Mitigation Center, USDA and NOAA, who weigh rainfall, soil moisture, streamflow, groundwater, vegetation health and reports from local observers. Each map shows conditions through Tuesday morning and is released on Thursday. It shows where drought is and how bad it is; it does not forecast it. CPC's outlooks do that.

Nearby

The counties bordering Milam County, with the worst category on this week's map.

Sources

Statistics and narrative from the US Drought Monitor, courtesy of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with USDA and NOAA. Outlooks from the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. Impacts from NDMC's State Impacts tool.