The wet summer pattern continued through June for most of the Oklahoma Panhandle, but rainfall remained much below normal in the western Panhandle. Monthly rainfall totals ranged from less than 1 half inch in the western Panhandle to greater than 6 inches in the eastern Panhandle. Widespread Exceptional (D4) Drought conditions at the start of June improved to a mix of Severe (D2) to Exceptional Drought conditions at the end of the month. Guymon recorded 2.34 inches of precipitation for the month (0.60 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 greater than 40 percent full in the central and eastern Oklahoma Panhandle and between 20 to 30 percent full in the western Panhandle. Deeper soil zones were still drier, rated between 10 to 30 percent full. 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 majority of the Oklahoma Panhandle were at below normal levels through the month, but eastern streams were near normal at the end of June.
Economic losses due to the drought through June were predominately the result of supplemental watering in the driest areas and supplemental feed for cattle on drought-thinned rangeland and pastures.