The wet summer pattern continued through July for most of the Oklahoma Panhandle, with most locations measuring at least 2 to 3 inches of rain for the month. A few parts of the Panhandle received greater than 5 inches of rain. A small portion of Texas and Beaver Counties remained in Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions through July, while the rest of the Panhandle improved to a mix of Severe (D2) Drought and Extreme (D3) Drought conditions. Guymon recorded 1.98 inches of precipitation for the month (0.68 inches below normal).
Soil moisture was rated from very short to adequate by the end of June. Crops were mostly benefiting from the rains, but were running behind in areas that were too wet or too dry. Rangeland and pasture continued to be rated mostly poor to very poor, but some rangeland was greening up. Cattle continued to improve, but herd sizes remained limited due to prolonged drought. Upper soil zones were mostly in the 20 to 40 percent full range, with a few locations much better or much worse. Deeper soil moisture was still below normal in much of the Oklahoma Panhandle. The Palmer Drought Severity Index indicated a rating of Moderate Drought conditions for the Oklahoma Panhandle. No burn bans were in effect.
Reservoirs and stream flows across the Oklahoma Panhandle were at near or below normal levels through July.
Economic losses due to the drought through July were predominately the result of supplemental watering in the driest areas and supplemental feed for cattle on drought-thinned rangeland and pastures.