Drought Monitor Update: Dry conditions taking over the Big Country

BIG COUNTRY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – It’s that time of the week again, the drought monitor update. For much of the summer, we were fortunate to stay drought-free, a blessing given that hot temperatures and dry conditions typically exacerbate droughts. Thanks to mild weather and occasional rainfall, we held out longer than usual. But as summer came to a close, things began to change, and week by week, the Big Country has seen drought conditions creeping back in.

This week’s update follows a much-needed rainfall event. Abilene picked up over an inch of rain at the ACU Mesonet site, while parts of Comanche County recorded 3 to 4 inches, and Coke and Runnels counties saw 1 to 2 inches.

The drought has worsened over the last couple of weeks. While that sounds promising, the timing worked against us because it was not soon enough to show improvements in this week’s drought monitor update. We may see some benefits reflected in next week’s update, but as the extended forecast remains dry, improvements could be short-lived.

Last week, we observed the expansion of drought conditions across much of the Big Country and Heartland regions. In Coke and Runnels counties, the situation worsened from dry to moderate, raising concerns about a flash drought and leading to an increase in the number of counties under burn bans. This week, despite some rainfall, drought conditions have deteriorated further, with dry weather moving northward. Now, Stephens and Eastland counties are also experiencing moderate drought conditions.

The coming weeks will be crucial. If the dry weather continues, drought conditions will worsen, escalating from moderate to severe and beyond. As the situation deteriorates, additional counties have been placed under burn bans, making it essential to prioritize fire safety moving forward.

Stay safe and stay weather-aware.