Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 2023

October 1 to 31, 2023 · NWS HGX · 35 events in 33 counties and zones

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D1 to D2 range.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 35 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 35

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 HGX wrote it up.

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D1 to D2 range.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

35 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Bolivar Peninsula

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CDT to October 31, 11:59 PM CDT
Where: Bolivar Peninsula forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.298, -94.811 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Austin

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Austin forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.887, -96.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Brazoria Islands

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Brazoria Islands forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.168, -95.434 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Brazos

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Brazos forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.661, -96.302 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Burleson

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Burleson forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.493, -96.621 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Chambers

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Chambers forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.708, -94.671 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Coastal Brazoria

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Brazoria forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.168, -95.434 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Coastal Galveston

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Galveston forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.298, -94.811 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Coastal Harris

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Harris forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.857, -95.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Coastal Jackson

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Jackson forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.954, -96.578 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Coastal Matagorda

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Coastal Matagorda forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.786, -96.004 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Colorado

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Colorado forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.621, -96.526 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Fort Bend

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Fort Bend forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.528, -95.771 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Galveston Island

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Galveston Island forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.298, -94.811 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Grimes

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Grimes forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.544, -95.985 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Houston

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Houston forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 31.318, -95.423 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Inland Brazoria

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Brazoria forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.168, -95.434 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Inland Galveston

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Galveston forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.298, -94.811 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Inland Harris

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Harris forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.857, -95.392 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Inland Jackson

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Jackson forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.954, -96.578 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Inland Matagorda

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Inland Matagorda forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.786, -96.004 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Madison

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.966, -95.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Matagorda Islands

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Matagorda Islands forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.786, -96.004 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Madison

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Madison forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.966, -95.928 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Matagorda Islands

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Matagorda Islands forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 28.786, -96.004 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Montgomery

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Montgomery forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.300, -95.503 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Northern Liberty

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Northern Liberty forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.152, -94.812 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Polk

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.793, -94.830 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, San Jacinto

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: San Jacinto forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.580, -95.167 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Southern Liberty

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Southern Liberty forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.152, -94.812 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Trinity

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Trinity forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 31.089, -95.135 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Walker

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Walker forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.739, -95.572 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Waller

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Waller forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.011, -95.988 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Washington

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 30.215, -96.403 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

Drought, Wharton

When: October 1, 12:00 AM CST to October 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where: Wharton forecast zone
Reported by: Drought Monitor
Coordinates: 29.278, -96.222 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

To start the month of October most of the region was in Extreme or D3 drought with other locations in Severe or D2. By the end of the month drought was mostly in the D2 range.

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 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings 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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1145305, 1145304, 1145306, 1145307, 1145308, 1145309, 1145310, 1145311, 1145312, 1145313, 1145314, 1145315, 1145316, 1145317, 1145318, 1145319, 1145320, 1145321, 1145322, 1145323, 1145324, 1145325, 1145326, 1145327, 1145328, 1145329, 1145330, 1145331, 1145332, 1145333, 1145334, 1145335, 1145336, 1145337, 1145338.