Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 2011

Name: Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 2011
Start: 2011-05-01T00:00
End: 2011-05-31T23:59
Location: Texas

May 1 to 31, 2011 · NWS FWD · 38 events in 38 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 38 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: $584,000
Events: 38

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS FWD wrote it up.

Rain during the end of April and scattered throughout the month of May did little to ease the prolonged drought conditions across much of north Texas. The area that saw the most relief was locations in and northeast of the DFW Metroplex. However, the rainfall during the month still provided some temporary relief to area farmers and helped corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, pastures, and hay land. Unfortunately, with the rain also came hail and high winds that damaged fields and crops as well. Exceptional drought conditions (D4), according to the US Drought Monitor, continued across much of the southern and southeastern counties of north Texas. Drought impacts include fields shriveling up leaving farmers little if anything to harvest, pastures burning up due to wildfires, and ranchers forced to sell their herds early. During the early part of the month, a total of 28 counties had burn bans, but many of the counties had removed the burn bans by the end of the month due to the several days of rainfall.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Fort Worth, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Apr 30, 10:32 PM CST, 1 hour 28 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Apr 30, 10:32 PM CST, 1 hour 28 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
1132 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

.AVIATION...
FRONT NOW FROM A LAMPASAS...HILLSBORO...TERRELL...SULHPUR SPRINGS
LINE MOVING ONLY SLOWLY SOUTHEAST OVERNIGHT. LLJ AND WAA EXPECTED
TO CRANK UP BY 09Z AND AFTER BEHIND THE FRONT ACROSS MAINLY THE
DFW TERMINALS...AS FIRST LOBE OF UPPER ENERGY ROTATES THROUGH THE
PLAINS UPPER LOW. VFR CONDS WILL GO QUICKLY TO MVFR BY 07Z-09Z OR
2-4 AM CDT IN THE MORNING WITH DFW SITES INDICATING SOME SHRA/CB
MENTION AS ELEVATED/EMBEDDED CONVECTION OCCURS ABOVE THE FRONTAL
INVERSION. SOME IFR MAY BRIEFLY OCCUR AT ALL TERMINALS AROUND/SHORTLY
AFTER 12Z...BUT WILL BE MORE POSSIBLE BEHIND THE FRONT IN THE
COOLER AIR TO THE NORTH.

WILL ONLY INTRODUCE IFR CIGS FOR A FEW HRS...BUT NEXT TAF ISSUANCE
MAY NEED TO EXTEND IFR CONDS THROUGH AT LEAST 15Z OR LATER DEPENDING
ON HOW THINGS SET UP. OTHERWISE...HAVE CIGS ONLY SLOWLY RISING
INTO HIGH MVFR WITH OCCASIONAL IFR VSBYS AND MVFR CIGS THROUGHOUT
THE DAY SUNDAY...IMPROVING LATE IN THE PERIOD OR 00Z MON/7 PM SUN
EVENING AS WE GET IN BETWEEN DISTURBANCES WITH SUBSIDENCE.

WITH THIS BEING SO PROLONGED OF POTENTIAL ELEVATED THUNDER WITH
ANY ISENTROPIC LIFT/RAIN AND UNCERTAINTY ON WHERE THE CURRENT
FRONT MOVES TOO...CONFIDENCE BEYOND 12Z OR FIRST 6 HOURS IS NOT
HIGH AND WOULD EXPECT MANY AMENDMENTS/CHANGES NEXT 24-30 HRS.

05/

&&

.UPDATE...
WE ARE CANCELING THE TORNADO WATCH WITH THIS EVENING UPDATE.
EXPECT CONVECTION TO RE-INITIATE LATER TONIGHT AS LLJ STRENGTHENS
AND ISENTROPIC UPGLIDE ENCOUNTERS THE QUASI-STATIONARY FRONTAL
BOUNDARY. HAVE CUT POPS DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY THROUGH 1AM.

TOMORROW CONTINUES TO LOOK WET AND STORMY AS A HEALTHY MOIST FEED
CONTINUES AND RIPPLES OF LOW PRESSURE MOVE UP AND ALONG THE FRONTAL
BOUNDARY. EXTENDED OUTLOOKS FOR VERY HEAVY 5 DAY RAINFALL TOTALS
ALONG THE I-30 CORRIDOR FROM FORT WORTH TO LITTLE ROCK AND INTO
THE CONFLUENCE OF THE OHIO/MISSISSIPPI REMAINS VALID. 75

&&

.PREV DISCUSSION... /ISSUED 345 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011/
A COLD FRONT WILL BECOME NEARLY STATIONARY ACROSS NORTH TEXAS THIS
EVENING. SHOWERS AND A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP
LATE THIS AFTERNOON AS SURFACE HEATING HELPS TO DESTABILIZE THE
LOWER LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE. THERE IS STILL SOME UNCERTAINTY ON
WHETHER THE CAP WILL COMPLETELY BREAK AND SURFACE BASED STORMS CAN
DEVELOP. SHORT RANGE GUIDANCE SUGGESTS THAT THE CAP HAS WEAKENED
SIGNIFICANTLY JUST AHEAD OF THE STALLING COLD FRONT WHICH WAS NEAR
A GAINESVILLE...FORT WORTH...TO COMANCHE LINE AT 3 PM. THE LEADING
EDGE OF THE FRONT HAS BECOME VERY WEAK DUE TO VIGOROUS MIXING ON
THE LEADING EDGE. THEREFORE...WE WILL KEEP CHANCE POPS FOR THE
LATE AFTERNOON/EARLY EVENING HOURS JUST AHEAD OF THE FRONT. SINCE
THE UPPER LEVEL SUPPORT WILL REMAIN WELL TO THE WEST NEAR THE FOUR
CORNERS REGION THIS EVENING AND CONVERGENCE ALONG THE FRONT WILL
BE WEAK...STORM DEVELOPMENT AND COVERAGE MAY BE LIMITED.
HOWEVER...IF ANY STORMS CAN DEVELOP...THERE IS ENOUGH INSTABILITY
AND SHEAR TO SUPPORT SEVERE STORMS. THE PRIMARY HAZARD WILL BE
HAIL AND DAMAGING WIND.

STORMS COVERAGE SHOULD INCREASE OVERNIGHT INTO SUNDAY AS LARGE
SCALE LIFT AS WELL AS LIFT OVER THE SURFACE BOUNDARY INCREASES.
STORMS TONIGHT/SUNDAY MORNING WILL BE ELEVATED AND WILL POSE A BIT
LESS OF A SEVERE WEATHER THREAT BUT STILL MAY CONTAIN SOME HAIL
AND STRONG WINDS. THE COLD FRONT WILL REMAIN STALLED OVER THE
REGION SUNDAY WITH WIDESPREAD RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS ALONG AND
NORTH OF IT. THERE WILL BE A THREAT OF SEVERE STORMS SUNDAY
...WITH THE BEST CHANCES ALONG AND JUST AHEAD OF THE BOUNDARY OVER
THE SOUTHEAST COUNTIES OF NORTH TEXAS.

THE WEATHER PATTERN WILL REMAIN UNSETTLED SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH
MONDAY NIGHT AS THE UPPER LEVEL TROUGH MOVES EAST AND LOW LEVEL
MOISTURE IS LIFTED OVER THE COOL AIR AT THE SURFACE. WE EXPECT
AREAS OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS OVER MUCH OF THE REGION SUNDAY
NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT WITH MUCH LESS OF A THREAT OF SEVERE
WEATHER. SOME LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS LIKELY WITH THIS EVENT BUT
DUE TO THE RECENT RAINFALL DEFICIT...THE EXPECTED QPF AND DURATION
OF THE EVENT...WE DO NOT FEEL A FLASH FLOOD WATCH IS WARRANTED AT
THIS TIME. WE WILL HAVE TO WATCH THE EVOLUTION OF THE SYSTEM OVER
THE NEXT 24 HOURS SINCE SOME AREAS COULD RECEIVE RAINFALL TOTALS
THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING BETWEEN 2 AND 3 INCHES. THE RAINFALL
SHOULD COME TO AN END TUESDAY AS THE UPPER SYSTEM EXITS THE REGION
AND MUCH DRIER AND MORE STABLE AIR MOVES IN BEHIND IT.

TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY SHOULD BE QUIET OVERALL WITH DRY
WEST TO NORTHWEST FLOW ALOFT AND SLOWLY RETURNING LOW LEVEL
MOISTURE. THERE ARE NO STRONG SIGNALS FOR SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EXTENDED PORTION OF THE FORECAST SO WILL
REMOVE ANY MENTION OF POPS THE LATTER HALF OF THE WEEK.  79

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TX  63  68  47  55  43 /  60  90  50  70  50
WACO, TX              71  76  48  57  42 /  30  70  60  60  50
PARIS, TX             61  66  48  54  43 /  60  90  60  70  50
DENTON, TX            58  61  46  57  39 /  60  90  50  70  40
MCKINNEY, TX          61  66  45  56  38 /  60  90  60  70  50
DALLAS, TX            66  70  47  55  44 /  60  90  60  70  50
TERRELL, TX           67  72  49  56  42 /  50  80  60  70  50
CORSICANA, TX         70  78  50  56  45 /  40  70  60  60  50
TEMPLE, TX            72  79  48  56  41 /  30  60  60  60  50
MINERAL WELLS, TX     59  60  43  53  38 /  60  70  40  70  30

&&

.FWD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
NONE.

&&

05/75

Hazardous weather outlook, Apr 30, 8:07 PM CST, 3 hours 53 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK...UPDATED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
907 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

TXZ091>095-100>107-115>123-129>135-141>148-156>162-174-175-020215-
MONTAGUE-COOKE-GRAYSON-FANNIN-LAMAR-YOUNG-JACK-WISE-DENTON-COLLIN-
HUNT-DELTA-HOPKINS-STEPHENS-PALO PINTO-PARKER-TARRANT-DALLAS-
ROCKWALL-KAUFMAN-VAN ZANDT-RAINS-EASTLAND-ERATH-HOOD-SOMERVELL-
JOHNSON-ELLIS-HENDERSON-COMANCHE-MILLS-HAMILTON-BOSQUE-HILL-NAVARRO-
FREESTONE-ANDERSON-LAMPASAS-CORYELL-BELL-MCLENNAN-FALLS-LIMESTONE-
LEON-MILAM-ROBERTSON-
907 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTH TEXAS.

.DAY ONE...TONIGHT.
THUNDERSTORMS WILL BECOME MORE LIKELY AFTER MIDNIGHT. SOME STORMS
COULD BECOME SEVERE. LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60
MPH WILL BE THE MAIN SEVERE THREATS. A FEW ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE
ALSO POSSIBLE...ESPECIALLY OVER NORTHEASTERN PORTIONS OF THE AREA.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.
THUNDERSTORM CHANCES WILL CONTINUE SUNDAY AND MONDAY. SOME STORMS
COULD AGAIN BECOME SEVERE WITH LARGE HAIL...DAMAGING WINDS...AND
ISOLATED TORNADOES. PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN COULD ALSO OCCUR BOTH
SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
LIMITED SPOTTER ACTIVATION MAY BE REQUESTED BEGINNING IN EASTERN
NORTH TEXAS THIS EVENING.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Apr 30, 6:39 PM CST, 5 hours 21 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
739 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

..TIME..    ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE..    ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0720 PM     HAIL             FORNEY                  32.75N  96.47W
04/30/2011  E1.00 INCH       KAUFMAN            TX   PUBLIC

            QUARTER HAIL REPORTED BY THE PUBLIC IN FORNEY.

Local storm report, Apr 30, 6:40 PM CST, 5 hours 20 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
740 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

..TIME..    ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE..    ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0738 PM     HAIL             WOLFE CITY              33.37N  96.08W
04/30/2011  E1.00 INCH       HUNT               TX   TRAINED SPOTTER

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL COVERING THE GROUND IN WOLFE CITY

Local storm report, Apr 30, 6:47 PM CST, 5 hours 13 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
747 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

..TIME..    ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE..    ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0746 PM     HAIL             LADONIA                 33.42N  95.97W
04/30/2011  E1.00 INCH       FANNIN             TX   AMATEUR RADIO

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL IN LADONIA

Special weather statement, Apr 30, 6:56 PM CST, 5 hours 4 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
756 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

TXZ143-010130-
HAMILTON TX-
756 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

...SIGNIFICANT WEATHER ADVISORY FOR...
  WESTERN HAMILTON COUNTY

AT 756 PM CDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGISTS DETECTED A
STRONG THUNDERSTORM 17 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HAMILTON...MOVING NORTHEAST
AT 20 MPH.

CITIES IN THE PATH OF THIS STORM INCLUDE HAMILTON.

MARBLE TO PENNY-SIZED HAIL AND WIND GUSTS TO BETWEEN 40 AND 50 MPH
CAN BE EXPECTED FROM THIS STORM.

IF THIS STORM INTENSIFIES...A SEVERE WEATHER WARNING MAY BE NEEDED.

LAT...LON 3183 9816 3158 9798 3145 9824 3144 9827
      3163 9841
TIME...MOT...LOC 0056Z 239DEG 19KT 3156 9832

Local storm report, Apr 30, 7:38 PM CST, 4 hours 22 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
838 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

..TIME..    ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE..    ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0814 PM     HAIL             KLONDIKE                33.33N  95.77W
04/30/2011  E1.00 INCH       DELTA              TX   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            QUARTER SIZED HAIL NEAR KLONDIKE

Local storm report, Apr 30, 7:43 PM CST, 4 hours 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORT WORTH TX
843 PM CDT SAT APR 30 2011

..TIME..    ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE..    ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0800 PM     HAIL             MESQUITE                32.77N  96.60W
04/30/2011  M1.50 INCH       DALLAS             TX   TRAINED SPOTTER

            HALF DOLLAR HAIL IN MESQUITE (2 MILES SW OF MESQUITE
            AIRPORT)

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

38 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Montague

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Montague forecast zone
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.676, -97.725 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3) during the beginning of the month. Conditions were the worst over the northwestern half of the county. However, beneficial rain during the month brought some relief and the drought conditions temporarily improved; especially over the southeastern portions of the county. The county received an average of 2-5 of rain during the month.

Drought, Cooke

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 12, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Cooke forecast zone
Crop damage: $4,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.639, -97.213 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the northwestern corner of the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the beginning of the month. However, beneficial rain during the month brought some relief and the drought conditions improved. The county received an average of 4-9 of rain during the month.

Drought, Delta

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 9, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Delta forecast zone
Crop damage: $4,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.386, -95.672 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the beginning of the month. However, beneficial rain during the month brought relief and the drought conditions improved. The county received an average of 5-8 of rain during the month.

Drought, Hopkins

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 23, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hopkins forecast zone
Crop damage: $7,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.150, -95.564 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Hunt

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 9, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hunt forecast zone
Crop damage: $4,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.124, -96.085 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Rains

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Rains forecast zone
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.870, -95.793 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as extreme drought (D3) during the beginning of the month. However, beneficial rain during the month brought some relief, and the drought conditions improved into severe drought (D2). The county received an average of 2-6 of rain during the month.

Drought, Rockwall

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 9, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Rockwall forecast zone
Crop damage: $3,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.898, -96.408 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the southeastern corner of the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the beginning of the month. However, beneficial rain during the month brought some relief and the drought conditions improved. The county received an average of 6-8 of rain during the month.

Drought, Wise

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 27, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Wise forecast zone
Crop damage: $8,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.216, -97.654 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the western half of the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the month. Beneficial rain during the month provided some relief by the end of the month and the drought conditions temporarily improved. The county received an average of 3-6 of rain during the month.

Drought, Jack

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Jack forecast zone
Crop damage: $20,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.234, -98.172 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3) during the month. An average of 2-5 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Young

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Young forecast zone
Crop damage: $20,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 33.177, -98.688 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as extreme drought (D3) during the month. An average of 1-3 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Stephens

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Stephens forecast zone
Crop damage: $20,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.736, -98.836 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3) during the month. Conditions were the worst over the northern half of the county. An average of 1-3 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Palo Pinto

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Palo Pinto forecast zone
Crop damage: $10,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.753, -98.313 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Parker

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Parker forecast zone
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.778, -97.805 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the beginning of the month. Beneficial rain during the early part of the month brought relief, and the drought conditions temporarily improved. However, by the end of the month, severe drought (D2) conditions had returned to the northern portions of the county. The county received an average of 3-6 of rain during the month.

Drought, Kaufman

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 23, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Kaufman forecast zone
Crop damage: $7,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.599, -96.288 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Drought, Van Zandt

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Van Zandt forecast zone
Crop damage: $13,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.564, -95.836 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3) during the month. Conditions were the worst over the eastern half of the county. An average of 2-5 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Henderson

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Henderson forecast zone
Crop damage: $13,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.212, -95.854 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to exceptional drought (D4) during the month. Conditions were the worst over the eastern half of the county. An average of 1-3 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Navarro

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Navarro forecast zone
Crop damage: $15,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.047, -96.472 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the month. An average of 2-3 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Ellis

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Ellis forecast zone
Crop damage: $15,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.348, -96.794 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the southern half of the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the month. An average of 2-4 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Somervell

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Somervell forecast zone
Crop damage: $8,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.222, -97.774 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the month. An average of 3-4 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Hill

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hill forecast zone
Crop damage: $15,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.991, -97.132 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the month. However, by the end of the month, extreme drought (D3) conditions were occurring over central parts of the county. An average of 2-3 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Hood

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hood forecast zone
Crop damage: $5,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.430, -97.832 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the beginning of the month. Beneficial rain during the month provided some relief, and the drought conditions temporarily improved; especially over the northeastern half of the county. The county received an average of 3-5 of rain during the month.

Drought, Bosque

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Bosque forecast zone
Crop damage: $20,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.900, -97.634 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the month. However, by the end of the month, extreme drought (D3) conditions were occurring over southern parts of the county. An average of 2-4 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Comanche

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Comanche forecast zone
Crop damage: $15,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.948, -98.558 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought during the beginning of the month. Beneficial rain during the month provided some relief, and the drought conditions temporarily improved; especially over the northern half of the county. The county received an average of 3-5 of rain during the month.

Drought, Eastland

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Eastland forecast zone
Crop damage: $7,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.327, -98.832 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the beginning of the month. However, beneficial rain during the month brought some relief, and the drought conditions temporarily improved; especially over the southeastern half of the county. The county received an average of 2-4 of rain during the month.

Drought, Erath

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Erath forecast zone
Crop damage: $12,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 32.236, -98.218 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe drought (D2) during the beginning of the month. Beneficial rain during the month provided some relief, and the drought conditions improved; especially over the northwestern portions of the county. The county received an average of 2-5 of rain during the month.

Drought, Mills

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Mills forecast zone
Crop damage: $20,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.495, -98.595 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as extreme drought (D3) during the beginning of the month. However, beneficial rain during the month provided some relief, and the drought conditions improved in the severe drought (D2) category during the latter half of the month. The county received an average of 3-7 of rain during the month.

Drought, Hamilton

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Hamilton forecast zone
Crop damage: $20,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.705, -98.111 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought during the month. Conditions were the worst over the western portions of the county. However, beneficial rain during the month provided some relief, and drought conditions temporarily improved. The county received an average of 3-7 of rain during the month.

Drought, Lampasas

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Lampasas forecast zone
Crop damage: $17,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.196, -98.241 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought during the month. The county received an average of 2-4 of rain during the month, which provided a little relief in the drought conditions by the end of the month.

Drought, Coryell

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coryell forecast zone
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.391, -97.799 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3) during the month. Conditions were the worst over the southern half of the county. An average of 2-5 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, McLennan

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: McLennan forecast zone
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.552, -97.202 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to extreme drought (D3) during the month. An average of 1-3 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Bell

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Bell forecast zone
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.038, -97.478 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to exceptional drought (D4) during the month. An average of 2-5 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Falls

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Falls forecast zone
Crop damage: $17,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.253, -96.936 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as extreme (D3) to exceptional drought (D4) during the month. An average of 1-3 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Limestone

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Limestone forecast zone
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.546, -96.580 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as severe (D2) to exceptional (D4) drought during the month. However, beneficial rain during the month provided some relief, and drought conditions temporarily improved by the end of the month. The county received an average of 2-6 of rain during the month.

Drought, Freestone

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Freestone forecast zone
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.705, -96.149 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as extreme drought (D3) for much of the month. However, beneficial rain during the month provided some relief, and drought conditions temporarily improved to severe category (D2) by the end of the month. The county received an average of 3-6 of rain during the month.

Drought, Anderson

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Anderson forecast zone
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.813, -95.653 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as extreme (D3) to exceptional drought (D4) during the month. An average of 2-6 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Milam

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Milam forecast zone
Crop damage: $40,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 30.786, -96.977 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as exceptional drought (D4) during the month. An average of 1-3 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Robertson

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Robertson forecast zone
Crop damage: $25,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.027, -96.513 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

According to the US Drought Monitor, the county was classified as extreme (D3) to exceptional drought (D4) during the month. An average of 2-4 of rain fell during the month, but the rain had little impact on the drought conditions in the county.

Drought, Leon

When: May 1, 12:00 AM CST to May 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Leon forecast zone
Crop damage: $30,000
Reported by: Other Federal Agency
Coordinates: 31.297, -95.996 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Drought: A drought reaching severe (D2) or worse on the US Drought Monitor, or with notable impacts.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Texas in 2011 Every state in 2011 This day in weather history Warnings in Texas, May 2011

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 311316, 311317, 311319, 311320, 311321, 311322, 311323, 311325, 311326, 311327, 311328, 311329, 311335, 311338, 311339, 311340, 311341, 311342, 311343, 311344, 311345, 311346, 311347, 311349, 311350, 311352, 311353, 311357, 311358, 311359, 311360, 311361, 311364, 311366, 311372, 311373, 311374, 311376.