Drought — Zapata, Texas

2025-05-01 to 2025-05-12 · Zapata, Texas

Event narrative

Due to the continued combination of dry and hot conditions with a strong sun angle and evaporation rates, Severe (D2) Drought continued across Zapata County to begin May. A band of thunderstorms with more than 2 inches (estimated) of rain on May 2nd covered southern Zapata, reducing the drought coverage to the northern two-thirds of the county for the May 6th monitor.

Wider weather episode

Severe (D2) Drought conditions continued across much of the Brush Country and Rio Grande Plains of Deep South Texas through May 12th, with improvements beginning after the 2nd following locally heavy rainfall in Starr and southern Zapata County. More significant rains, accompanied by hail, across the region on the 7th and 8th would be included in the May 13th Drought Monitor. These rains reduced the area of Severe Drought to small corners of Jim Hogg and northwest Zapata.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1265283. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.