Drought in Starr, Texas

Extreme Drought entered northwestern and north-central Starr County on December 23, courtesy of a combination of mid-month drying fronts and zero to minimal rainfall during this time. The remainder of all but the eastern one-fifth of the county remained in Severe (D2) Drought, with some light rains keeping both areas at status quo.

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.