Drought — Lubbock, Texas

2011-11-01 to 2011-11-30 · Lubbock, Texas

Wider weather episode

November was characterized by persistent significant rainfall over the southeastern Texas Panhandle with spotty rain showers elsewhere. Exceptional (D4) drought continued for much of the South Plains and Rolling Plains. However, substantial rainfall improved conditions to Severe (D2) over the southeastern Texas Panhandle and the northern Rolling Plains. One county, Hall County, improved to Moderate (D1) drought conditions.

Meaningful rainfall for October over the southeastern Texas Panhandle continued into the month of November. Childress, Texas (Childress County) recorded an additional 2.97 inches of rainfall through the month. On November 21st, a record 2.38 inches of rain fell at Childress. The remainder of the area did not see rainfall as abundant. The year long deficit at Lubbock stood at 14.02 inches while Childress had a deficit of 12.33 inches. Childress may avoid the driest year on record but the rest of the area still remains on track for this accomplishment. Some annual rainfall totals include 4.55 at Morton (Cochran County), 5.27 at Friona (Parmer County), 4.34 at Lubbock (Lubbock County), and 2.97 at Brownfield (Terry County). Keetch-Byram Drought Index Values showed levels from 500-600 over the South Plains and Rolling Plains with 400-500 over the southeastern Texas Panhandle. Temperatures over the month were near normal.

Livestock losses continued to mount though agricultural losses were lessened since most harvesting had been completed by November. Recently planted winter wheat appeared to be responding to the recent rainfall in some areas though occasional wind and dust storms were causing some fields to be blown out. Farmers were deciding on whether to replant the damaged crops. Most pastures and rangeland remained dry and incapable of providing feed, forcing producers to purchase supplemental feed and ship livestock to other states.

Economic losses due to drought through November since the drought began were estimated near $2.3 billion.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 350714. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.