Texas, 2024

Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 2024

December 1 to 31, 2024 · NWS EWX · 18 events in 17 counties and zones

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 18 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
18

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.

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Austin/San Antonio, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Nov 30, 11:07 PM CST, 53 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Nov 30, 11:07 PM CST, 53 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
1107 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2024

...New AVIATION...

.SHORT TERM...
(Tonight through Sunday night)
Issued at 221 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2024

A low amplitude mid to upper level ridge lies to the west of Texas
and the flow is from the northwest. High pressure at the surface is
resulting in light and variable winds across our CWA. The airmass
has warmed and moistened over the last 24 hours. Isentropic lift is
responsible for cloudy skies over the southern and eastern parts the
area. The upper ridge will flatten as it moves toward the east
during this period. A cold front will move through Central Texas
tonight and into our CWA Sunday where it will stall and dissipate.
This will lead to the warming continuing tonight and Sunday. Lows
and highs will both be around five degrees from today. With the
front stalling over the area low temperatures Monday will be a
little cooler over the east and warmer over the west. Along with the
warmer temperatures over the west there may be enough isentropic
lift to generate some rain showers. However, model agreement is not
great. We've introduced only slight chance POPs for our southwestern
counties. Seems likely that the dry solutions will win out.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Monday through Saturday)
Issued at 221 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2024

An inverted surface trough/low located near or just off the lower
Texas coast into the long term is forecast to lift gradually north
than northeastward along/near the Texas coast through Tuesday and
Wednesday. This surface low helps to induce and enhance isentropic
forcing across the region. The isentropic lift trends weakest on
Monday before peaking between late Tuesday into Wednesday. As a
result, Monday remains mostly rain free outside from a low end (20
percent) chance across our southwestern most counties. Clouds are
expected to increase with skies turning overcast from southwest to
northeast from Monday into Monday night. Medium chances (30 to 60
percent) for light to moderate shower activity is forecast from
Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. This activity will pivot
eastward with time into and through Wednesday. The highest rain
chances and amounts will likely favor the coastal plains closer to
the location of the surface low. The daytime highs into early to
midweek trend near to slightly below average, with Tuesday likely
trending as the coolest day. However, the overnight lows become
milder as a result of the cloud cover and with the higher dew
points/moisture.

A more complex and uncertain forecast develops from Thursday into
the start of next weekend as the model spread increases in regards
to several different inter-connected weather features. One is the
timing of the an upper level trough to the west, another is the
dissipating surface low and it's remaining pooling moisture, and
third is the arrival of the next few fronts. The most recent model
suite (12Z) has trended toward a slower or more cutoff progression
of the upper level system to the west while bringing a possible
surface front into or near the region sometime from Thursday into
Thursday night. A secondary front may be a factor towards Saturday
as well. While lingering surface moisture may help to induce the
returning of some light shower chances through isentropic forcing,
this latest model suite (12Z) had come in notably drier than past
runs (especially the 00Z suite) with the lack of the overlap of
stronger upper level energy above the surface front(s). Given the
amount of uncertainty, have elected to not deviate from the latest
NBM forecast from Thursday and beyond. This forecast will consist
of daily low end rain chances (15-35 percent).

&&

.AVIATION...
(06Z TAFS)
Issued at 1104 PM CST Sat Nov 30 2024

The pocket of MVFR cigs over SAT/SSF this evening looks dug in, and
the 00Z NAM time section suggests it will not go anywhere overnight.
Most of the model data fails to see even the current conditions, so
will blindly call for the CIGs to hold steady overnight and mix out
when winds are expected to back to the NE with the development of
coastal troughing to the SE. The rest of the skies should be VFR with
some scattered cigs just above MVFR possible at DRT/AUS. Light winds
should prevail at all sites, with a slow trend toward a coastal low
and weak backdoor cold front turning winds to NE along I-35 during
the day Sunday.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Austin Camp Mabry              43  69  44  69 /   0   0   0   0
Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport  41  69  41  68 /   0   0   0   0
New Braunfels Muni Airport     46  71  46  70 /   0   0   0   0
Burnet Muni Airport            39  68  41  67 /   0   0   0   0
Del Rio Intl Airport           44  71  54  65 /   0   0  10  20
Georgetown Muni Airport        39  68  39  67 /   0   0   0   0
Hondo Muni Airport             46  70  50  67 /   0   0  10  10
San Marcos Muni Airport        43  69  43  68 /   0   0   0   0
La Grange - Fayette Regional   46  69  41  69 /   0   0   0   0
San Antonio Intl Airport       48  69  50  67 /   0   0   0  10
Stinson Muni Airport           50  70  52  68 /   0   0  10  10

&&

.EWX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
None.
&&

Short-Term...18
Long-Term...04
Aviation...18
Hazardous weather outlook, Nov 30, 6:52 AM CST, 17 hours 8 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX
652 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2024

TXZ171>173-183>194-202>209-217>225-228-011300-
Llano-Burnet-Williamson-Val Verde-Edwards-Real-Kerr-Bandera-
Gillespie-Kendall-Blanco-Hays-Travis-Bastrop-Lee-Kinney-Uvalde-
Medina-Bexar-Comal-Guadalupe-Caldwell-Fayette-Maverick-Zavala-
Frio-Atascosa-Wilson-Karnes-Gonzales-De Witt-Lavaca-Dimmit-
652 AM CST Sat Nov 30 2024

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for South-Central Texas..

.DAY ONE...Today And Tonight.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not anticipated.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 drought. Local standard time, as filed.

Drought, Atascosa

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Bandera

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Bexar

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Caldwell

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Comal

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Frio

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Frio forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
28.868, -99.108 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Guadalupe

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Hays

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Kendall

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Kerr

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Medina

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Real

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Real forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.832, -99.822 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Travis

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Uvalde

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Uvalde forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
29.357, -99.762 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Williamson

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Wilson

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 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)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Zavala

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Zavala forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
28.866, -99.761 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

Drought, Zavala

When
December 1, 12:00 AM CST to December 31, 11:59 PM CST
Where
Zavala forecast zone
Reported by
Drought Monitor
Coordinates
28.866, -99.761 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Most of South-Central Texas had another month of below normal precipitation, and the drought was unchanged. Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Hays, Kendall, Medina, and Travis Counties remained in Extreme (D3) Drought category. Atascosa, Caldwell, Frio, Guadalupe, Kerr, Real, Uvalde, Williamson, Wilson, and Zavala Counties remained in Severe (D2) Drought category. The 7-day average streamflow at the end of the month was much below (<10%) normal on the Guadalupe River, the Frio River, and the Medina River. The Nueces, upper San Antonio, and Colorado Rivers were much below to below (10%-24%) normal. The Edwards Aquifer rose 0.3 feet but was still 41.4 feet below normal. Medina Lake dropped 0.7 feet and was 92.1 feet below normal. Lake Travis dropped 0.3 feet and was 43.1 feet below normal. Canyon Lake dropped 0.8 feet and was 28.3 feet below normal. Of the counties in D2 or worse drought Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Fayette, Frio, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kerr, Medina, Real, Uvalde, and Wilson had outdoor burn bans in effect at the end of the month. Most public water systems encouraged at least voluntary water restrictions and many had mandatory restrictions. The City of Uvalde had stage 5, San Antonio, Universal City, and Kerrville had stage 3, and Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Austin had stage 2.

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 2024Every state in 2024This day in weather historyWarnings in Texas, December 2024

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: 1224279, 1224280, 1224281, 1224282, 1224283, 1224284, 1224285, 1224286, 1224287, 1224288, 1224289, 1224290, 1224291, 1224292, 1224293, 1224294, 1224295, 1224296.