Drought in Deaf Smith, Texas

The eastern part of Deaf Smith County started April in Moderate Drought (D1) and the remainder of the county continued into April in Severe Drought (D2) as the area still lacked any significant precipitation. However, this area of Moderate Drought quickly eroded within the first week and became Severe Drought. This lack of rain continued through much of the month, but there were a few showers and storms that moved through the county. In total, the county measured around three quarters of an inch in the west to around one tenth of an inch in the east. Deaf Smith County ended the month about one quarter to one third of an inch below normal in the west to one inch below normal in the east. The 120 day departure from normal was around 1.5 inches in the west to 2.75 inches in the east below normal.

The Texas Panhandle experienced a stark and worsening drought throughout April. While a few isolated showers and storms moved through the area, the vast majority of the region suffered from a severe lack of continuous, meaningful precipitation. The month was defined by the complete erasure of lower-level drought categories and an aggressive expansion of Extreme Drought (D3) as long-term moisture deficits deepened.

Precipitation was incredibly sparse. Most counties recorded less than half an inch for the entire month, with several seeing less than one tenth of an inch. A few lucky, localized areas in the northern portions of the Texas Panhandle managed to catch 1 to 1.5 inches of rain from passing storms but this was the exception rather than the norm. The majority of the Panhandle finished April anywhere from 0.5 to over 2 inches below normal. The isolated spots in that saw heavier showers actually finished the month 0.2 to 0.4 inches above normal, though this did little to dent the overarching dry pattern.

However, it 120 day precipitation totals truly highlight true severity of the situation. Deficits broadly ranged from 2.5 to 4.5 inches below normal across the region. This remains the reason behind the growing drought across the region. This drought combined with dry fuels and windy conditions to help fuel wildfires across the area during the month.