Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 2013

Drought conditions largely remain unchanged through the month of October. Bailey and Hall Counties remained in moderate (D1) drought while the remainder of the area ranged from severe (D2) to exceptional (D4) drought. The month of October was an uneventful month for precipitation or any type of significant weather.

Most areas saw all of their rainfall from one event which occurred on the 13th. A slow moving warm front brought slow and steady rains to much of the area. Most areas observed around one to two inches of rainfall. However, Turkey (Hall County) reported the highest amount with 7.15 inches. No other significant weather events occurred throughout the month. The first week and last week of the month was well above seasonal average for temperatures but the middle portion of the month was below seasonal averages which offset the warmer temperatures. Temperatures were 0.6 degrees and 0.5 degrees above normal at Lubbock and Childress, respectively. Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) values generally remained the same throughout the month of October. Hall County's exceptional rainfall was able to improve KBDI values. Hall County observed values between 200 and 300. Elsewhere, 400-500 value readings were observed on the South Plains with 500-600 over the Rolling Plains.

Harvesting had begun across the region with a widespread freeze event occurring about two weeks before the average first freeze date. Crop yields varied greatly across the area. The early first freeze has led to early curing of fine fuels and grasses. Fuel loading was markedly higher than observed from 2012. Qualitative observations, however, indicate current fuel loads are generally near historical averages.

Economic losses due to drought through October since the drought began were estimated near 2.8 billion.