Drought in Starr, Texas

The combination of humidity averaging 10-15 percent each afternoon for a week (March 9-17), occasional heat spikes, and gusty winds moved conditions into flash drought territory, and the drought monitor was adjusted to Extreme (D3) on the 18th for all but the eastern one-tenth of Starr County. These conditions would continue until March 26th, before heavy rains and local flash flooding arrived and ultimately improved drought somewhat but not until April 1. Detailed agricultural (ranch/livestock) impact was not known, but pastures were completely brittle and overall cattle herds were culled, with water hauling likely in the Starr County brush country.

Another week of extremely dry conditions between March 11-17, combined with periodic gusty winds and occasional heat spikes, worsened drought to Extreme (D3) across Starr, Jim Hogg, and Zapata Counties, and expanded Severe (D2) conditions to parts of all counties in Deep South Texas. Relative humidity averaged below 15 percent for the week leading up to March 18th for most of the region. Rangelands turned completely brittle and cattle herds continued to be culled as water shortages worsened.

Some good fortune smiled on the region toward the end of March, as a historic flood impacted much of the Lower Rio Grande Valley, with welcome but lesser rains across the Brush Country and Rio Grande Plains. While much of the rain was not completely absorbed by parched soil (due to runoff), the rains would reduce the drought footprint by April 1st.