Drought in Inland Kenedy County, Texas

The March 31, 2026 Drought Monitor removed the last of Severe (D2) Drought in central Kenedy County and replaced it with Extreme (level 3 of 4, D3) conditions. Unknown as of this writing were impacts on cattle ranches, including the King, Kenedy, and Yturria ranch, in the county. Herd impact estimates may be provided later this summer.

March 31, 2026, was a red-letter day for the southern tip of Texas in terms of drought. Months of dry, top-five to ten warmest, low humidity, and breezy weather took its toll - and by the 31st, all areas were at Severe (D2) or higher, with 95% of the region at Extreme (D3) or higher, and a whopping 54.79% at Exceptional (D4) conditions. Soon after, on Easter Weekend, the worst drought in 13 years would begin to crack with the start of spring rains, which continued through at least the end of May.

Still, there were likely notable crop production/harvest losses in the Valley, and cattle herd production losses across the ranchlands, who had the longest duration of D3 and D4 conditions.