Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 2009

Extremely dry conditions, caused by record to near record heat, gustier than average winds, and unusually low humidity for late summer, maintained exceptional (D4) drought conditions across all of Brooks County through August. By the end of the month, damage to usable pastureland, livestock and dryland crops was likely to be in the millions of dollars. A specific value will be provided when data are received from the USDA Farm Service Agency office in Falfurrias.

Extreme (D3) to Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions continued across Jim Hogg County through all of August. The combination of record to near record heat, periods of unusually gusty winds, and very low humidity maintained extreme conditions across the west half of the county, and exceptional (D4) across the east half until just before the end of the month, when some welcome rains helped bring the entire county down to extreme levels to start September.

The persisting drought left its toll on pastureland, livestock and any dryland crops grown in the county; the USDA Farm Service Agency in Falfurrias (serving Brooks nd Jim Hogg Counties) has likely recorded crop and related livestock damage in the millions of dollars.

Extreme (D3) Drought held across southern Willacy County, with Exceptional (D4) Drought maintaining across the northern half of the county, through mid August before conditions worsened county-wide to exceptional (D4) to close the month. The continued rain free, record to near record hot, and frequently windy weather contributed to the severity of the drought, which began to break at the very end of the month. The rains were too little, too late for most dryland crops, pastureland, and some livestock. Dollar damages will be reported in the D4 countywide entry between August 18 and 31.

Extreme (D3) Drought conditions dominated nearly all of Starr County for all of August, with Exceptional (D4) drought conditions nosing across the extreme northeast portion of the county and a brief period of severe (D2) Drought conditions through the 3rd near the Zapata County line before being erased by the 4th. Record to near record heat, frequently gusty winds, no rainfall for nearly the entire month, and very low humidity for August guaranteed a significant loss of pastureland, dryland crop, and some livestock by month's end. The USDA Farm Service Agency office that serves Starr and Zapata County would likely report damage in the millions of dollars, and a final estimate will be available soon.

Drought conditions continued across Cameron County, at the same intensity levels as the end of July, the first few days of August. Extreme (D3) drought conditions continued across the eastern and south central half of the county and Severe (D2) drought conditions continued across the western half of Cameron County the first few days of August. These conditions would worsen quickly with continued dry, windy, and record to near record heat through the month.

Drought conditions continued across Hidalgo County at the same levels as the end of July the first few days of August. Extreme (D3) drought conditions continued across the west and northern two thirds of Hidalgo County and Severe (D2) drought conditions continued across the southeastern one third of the County the first few days of August. These conditions would soon worsen across all of the county for the remainder of August.

Severe (D2) Drought conditions continued across Zapata County the first few days of August at the same intensity levels as the end of July as above normal temperatures and dry conditions continued across the county. Conditions would soon worsen to Extreme (D3) within the first week of the month and continue through month's end.

Extremely dry conditions, caused by record to near record heat, gustier than average winds, and unusually low humidity for late summer, maintained exceptional (D4) drought conditions across all of Kenedy County through August. By the end of the month, damage to usable pastureland, livestock, and any dryland crops was likely to be in the millions of dollars. A specific value will be provided when data are received from the USDA Farm Service Agency office in Kingsville, serving Kleberg and Kenedy County.

Extreme (D3) Drought conditions continued across Coastal Cameron County, at the same intensity levels as the end of July, through the first half of August before deteriorating further for the last half of the month. The worsening conditions would be the result of continued dry, windy, and record to near record heat through the month.

Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions continued across Coastal Willacy County right through August, the result of continued dry, windy, and record to near record heat through the month. The USDA Farm Service Agency would report significant damage to dryland crops, pastureland, and some livestock across the entire county. Specific estimates will be available soon and listed in the Willacy County entry including August 31 2009.