Drought — Zapata, Texas

2025-05-13 to 2025-05-31 · Zapata, Texas

Event narrative

Following locally heavy rainfall before daybreak on May 7th, and again during the afternoon no May 8th, which dropped pockets of 2-4+ inches of rain across much of Zapata County, Drought Improved to Moderate (D1) and Abnormally Dry (D0) across all but the extreme northwestern portion of the County for the May 13th Drought Monitor. This area received closer to 2 inches - insufficient for improvement there considering antecedent dry conditions through much of March and April. Limited rainfall for the remainder of May allowed D2 conditions to hold in extreme northwest Zapata County.

Wider weather episode

Locally heavy rainfall spawned by thunderstorms associated with a slow-moving upper level disturbance impacted all but small portions of northern Jim Hogg and extreme northwest Zapata. Severe (D2) Drought conditions held on there, while the remainder of the D2 area improved to Moderate (D1) or even Abnormally Dry (D0) following the rainfall.

Agricultural impacts (mainly cattle herd culling) were unknown in these areas.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1265827. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.