Drought in Jim Hogg, Texas

Extreme Drought in Jim Hogg County expanded markedly by December 23, with approximately 75% of the County under this condition, up from around 25% beforehand in December. Far western and the southeast corner of the county remained at Severe (D2), based on small pockets of rain during mid December.

The lack of rainfall combined with a couple of drying fronts in mid-December prolonged the well below average rainfall, along with general heat, through late December across most locations west of IH-69C/US-281. Extreme (D3) Drought expanded into much of Jim Hogg, northern Starr, and a sliver of eastern Zapata County during this time.

It was likely that pastures and grazing areas continued to dry out, with a gradual decrease in hay production.