Drought — Donley, Texas

2023-05-01 to 2023-05-31 · Donley, Texas

Event narrative

Donley County started the month of May in Severe Drought (D2) conditions. With numerous rain events throughout the month improvements were made in the drought. The majority of the county had improved to Moderate Drought (D1) with the exception of around a quarter of the county in the southeast corner that stayed in D2 during the last week of the month. However, additional rainfall on May 31st helped to wipe out the rest of the D2 in the southeast. Eastern portions of the county had received 1 to 3 of rain over the course of the month, while areas in the west had received 3 to 5 by months end.

Wider weather episode

Wide spread beneficial rain finally returned to the combined Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles during May 2023. Almost all of the dryland winter wheat was not harvestable at the beginning of the month. The rain received by mid month was highly beneficial for spring planting of cotton and peanuts. Some areas in the Panhandles actually received so much rain in a short amount of time at the end of the month that flooded fields hindered further planting. Overall, much of the area saw great improvements in overall drought conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1105206. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.