Drought — Northern Hidalgo County, Texas

2025-03-11 to 2025-03-31 · Northern Hidalgo County, Texas

Event narrative

Severe (D2) Drought developed across most of northern Hidalgo County on March 11th, which would expand to the eastern sliver of the zone on the 18th and continue through the end of the month. Increasing stressors were noted in agriculture, with emerging spring crops showing signs of moisture stress. Water hauling and supplemental feeding was in full swing for cattle herds, which continued to be culled. Note that locally heavy rainfall between March 26 and early March 28 would reduce drought levels in the county, but these would be shown on the April 1 monitor.

Wider weather episode

By March 11, Severe (D2) Drought expanded eastward to include all of Starr, western Hidalgo, Brooks, and western Kenedy Counties. The Severe Drought would expand farther east soon after, with Extreme (D3) Drought developing across the upper Valley, Brush Country, and Rio Grande Plains. The worsening and expanding drought began to have impact on pastures and cattle herds. Pastures continued to dry out with limited hay for grazing, and herds were culled, with some movement to other pastures as water shortages built.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1249448. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.