Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 1996

Dry conditions for 1994 and 1995 were starting to take their toll and during the first part of 1996, even drier conditions were felt. From October 1995 through May 1996 not only was it dry, but temperatures and winds were above normal adding to the drying effect. This period was marked as the driest October through May on record at the National Weather Service (NWS) office with only 2.04 inches (72% below average) of precipitation during that time, May 1996 found temperatures common in mid-Summer with the average maximum temperature for the month of 95.6 degrees (9.7 degrees above average). May, usually one of the wetter months, ended with only 0.11 inch (94% below average) at the NWS office.Burning bans were implemented in many of the cities and counties in the region. During May there were three severe weather events that brought welcome rains, but unwelcomed hail and high winds. The only areas to recieve substantial rains were in an area that stretched from central Lea County, NM, eastward Texas into Gaines County, and southeastward into Martin, Howard, Glasscock and Reagan Counties. Most other counties recieved very little measureble rain. The driest areas stretched from near Midland/Odessa southwestward to the Pecos River. Isolated patches of heavy rains had occurred in Pecos and Terrell Counties.Complete Agricultural impact and damage estimates will follow in later months.