Drought in Beaver, Oklahoma

Drought conditions worsened across the Oklahoma Panhandle during the month. The month began with the region mostly in Moderate Drought (D1), except for a small area of Abnormally Dry (D0) conditions in northern Cimarron County. Within the first ten days, Severe Drought (D2) expanded to cover the majority of Beaver County. By day 17, two-thirds of Cimarron County, particularly the southwest portion, had also reached D2. By day 24, D2 conditions covered the entire Panhandle, excluding the southeast corner of Beaver County. Furthermore, an area of Extreme Drought (D3) had developed over central Beaver County. Precipitation deficits over the past 120 days, which were already 1 to 2 below normal, increased by an additional 1 to 2.

Very isolated rain events brought some moisture to the eastern Panhandles during the month. However, this did not put a dent in the 120 departure from normal with values staying 2 to 4 below normal. Mites were appearing on stressed winter wheat crop and wildfires became an increasing concern across the combined Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles.