The drought that commenced over the south-central U.S. in the autumn of 2005 intensified over much of west Texas in February. During the first week of the month, D2 (severe) drought conditions, per the U.S. Drought Monitor, spread in areal coverage to encompass all of the west Texas South Plains region. By the end of February, conditions had further deteriorated, with a D3 (extreme) drought progressing over the northern South Plains and the Texas Panhandle. This despite the region's first measurable rainfall since late October 2005, which occurred on the morning of February 3rd when Lubbock received 0.03 inches of rain. Tulia (Swisher County) received the only significant rainfall of the event, measuring 0.38 inches. The continued threat for wildfires over much of the Southern Plains of the U.S. continued to make national media headlines. Critical fire weather conditions, however, were dampened somewhat over west Texas during the month of February. The decrease in wildfire activity across the South Plains region was likely due to a relative lack of strong westerly winds and at least two cold fronts that brought periods of below normal temperatures and higher relative humidities. Abnormally warm conditions returned to the region by the month's end with record high temperatures again posted at Childress and Lubbock on the 27th and the 28th, including a monthly record warm temperature of 89 degrees at Lubbock on the 28th.Most crops across the region had been harvested by the time the drought commenced, and the dry weather actually helped farmers extract cotton from the fields during the late fall. The drought, however, is expected to have long-term adverse effects as fields are prepared and planting begins during the upcoming growing season. Thus agricultural losses resulting from the drought will likely be realized at future dates according to local extension agents.

Drought in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in KING, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-FEB-06 00:00:00 to 28-FEB-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.