Texas, 2023

Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 2023

October 1 to 31, 2023 · NWS EWX · 24 events in 24 counties and zones

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2).

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 24 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

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
24

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 EWX wrote it up.

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

24 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Atascosa

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Atascosa forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
28.894, -98.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Bandera

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Bandera forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.747, -99.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Bastrop

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Bastrop forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.104, -97.312 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Bexar

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Bexar forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.449, -98.520 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Blanco

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Blanco forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.266, -98.400 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Burnet

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Burnet forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.788, -98.182 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Caldwell

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Caldwell forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.837, -97.620 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Comal

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Comal forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.808, -98.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, De Witt

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
De Witt forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.082, -97.357 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Fayette

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Fayette forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.877, -96.920 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Gillespie

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Gillespie forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.318, -98.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Gonzales

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Gonzales forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.457, -97.492 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Guadalupe

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Guadalupe forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.583, -97.949 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Hays

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Hays forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.058, -98.031 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Karnes

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Karnes forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
28.906, -97.859 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Kendall

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Kendall forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.945, -98.712 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Kerr

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Kerr forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.062, -99.350 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Lavaca

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lavaca forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.384, -96.930 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Lee

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Lee forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.311, -96.966 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Llano

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Llano forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.706, -98.684 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Medina

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Medina forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.356, -99.110 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Travis

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Travis forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.335, -97.782 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Williamson

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Williamson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
30.648, -97.601 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

Drought, Wilson

When
October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Wilson forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.174, -98.087 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Much of South Central Texas received above normal rainfall in October, and there was improvement in the drought. The most improvement was in Bastrop, Fayette, Lee, and Williamson Counties all of which went from Exceptional (D4) category to Severe (D2). Bexar, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Comal, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall, Lavaca, and Travis Counties went from D4 to Extreme (D3). Atascosa, Bandera, Gonzales, Karnes, Kerr, Llano, Medina, and Wilson went from D3 to D2. De Witt County remained in D3. Area reservoirs continued to be below normal conservation pool level. Medina Lake dropped 0.9 feet and was 87.9 feet below normal. Lake Buchanan actually rose 1.3 feet but was still 26.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis also rose 3.7 feet but was still 48.8 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 1.2 feet to 19.6 feet below normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 4.9 foot but was still 30.5 feet below normal. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions in effect. Some of the larger services had the following: Fredericksburg, Llano, and Kerrville Stage 4, Georgetown, San Antonio, Universal City, New Braunfels, and Austin Stage 2. At the end of the month, the 7-day average streamflow was much below (<10%) normal on the Nueces, Frio, Medina, and lower Guadalupe Rivers, and below (10%-24%) normal on the upper Guadalupe River. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Bexar, Medina, Kendall, Wilson, and Karnes had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month.

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

More

Every storm in Texas in 2023Every state in 2023This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, October 2023

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: 1144439, 1144440, 1144441, 1144442, 1144443, 1144444, 1144445, 1144446, 1144447, 1144448, 1144449, 1144450, 1144451, 1144452, 1144453, 1144454, 1144455, 1144456, 1144457, 1144458, 1144459, 1144460, 1144461, 1144462.