The drought that commenced over the south-central U.S. during the autumn of 2005 persisted over much of west Texas in April, but many locations across the west Texas South Plains region did experience some relief. During the first week of the month, D2 (severe) drought conditions, per the U.S. Drought Monitor, encompassed all of the South Plains region. By the end of April, conditions had improved notably with drought conditions downgraded to moderate (D1) over the higher terrain of the Caprock and the Llano Estacado. Severe drought (D2), however, continued over the rolling plains and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle. The gradual improvement in conditions resulted from the onset of spring-time convection and a few stratiform rain events that impacted the area during the second half of April.The potential for wildfires remained of utmost concern through mid-month. Weather conditions during the first fifteen days of April brought two widespread outbreaks of dangerous wind-driven wildland fires, similar to those experienced over the Southern High Plains in January and March. Critical fire weather conditions, however, were dampened somewhat over west Texas by the end of the month as seasonal rains increased in frequency and as a modest green-up of vegetation commenced. Most crops across the region were harvested before the onset of the drought in the autumn of 2005. Thus far, the duration of the intense short-term drought has been restricted to the cool non-growing season. With evidence of lessening drought conditions, it is possible that the drought's impact on agricultural interest may be relatively small. No significant agricultural losses have yet been directly attributed to the 2005 and 2006 winter drought.

Drought in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in KING, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Drought in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-APR-06 00:00:00 to 30-APR-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.