Drought in Zapata, Texas

Continued heat, very low humidity, lack of rainfall, and occasional wind brought Extreme to Exceptional (D3 to D4) Drought across all of Zapata County on March 24 continue through month's end. D3 conditions arrived in the northwest sections and prevailed. Unknown was the extent of cattle herd culling due to lack of grazing land, as well as the need to haul water.

Persistent dryness across most of the Rio Grande Valley and Deep S. Texas ranchlands allowed a slow creep of Extreme to Exceptional (level 4 of 4) Drought as March reached its last week. Continued culling of cattle herds, as well as delays in spring planting and impacts on early spring growth, was noted by farmers and ranchers.