An active weather pattern dominated the month of December as an energetic southern jet stream remained across South Texas. About half of the days in the month of December recorded precipitation across parts of the region. The highest rainfall occurred over the Brush Country with lesser amounts toward the coast. Rainfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches over the Brush Country, 1 to 2 inches over the Victoria Crossroads, and around 1 inch over the southern Coastal Bend.
The exceptional drought continued over most of South Texas through the month of December with a slight improvement over the Brush Country. Drought status went to extreme over the Brush Country counties of Webb, LaSalle, McMullen, and Duval. The month was characterized by below normal rainfall over the Coastal Bend to above normal rainfall over the Brush Country. Monthly rainfall deficits were from a half to one and one half inches across the coastal plains while a 1 to 2 inch surplus occurred over the Brush Country.
Soil moisture improved slightly across South Texas during the month but not significantly enough for farmers to plant winter crops. Ranchers continued to reduce herds.
The drought has also impacted the bays and estuaries as salinity levels continued to remain high. Due to the high salinity, many oyster beds along the Texas Gulf Coast have been closed impacting many businesses. Low to moderate concentrations of red tide continued to affect areas along the coast.
For the year of 2011, it was one of the driest on record. Yearly rainfall totals at Corpus Christi and Victoria placed as the second driest on record, since 1888 and 1898 respectively. It was the driest on record at Laredo with records dating back to 1900. Yearly rainfall deficits ranged from 10 to 15 inches over the Brush Country, 18 to 23 inches over the Coastal Bend, and 25 to 30 inches over the Mid-Coast region.
Monetary losses from diminished crops and fading grazing pastures due to the drought in 2011 was estimated to be around 135 million dollars across South Texas.

Drought in BEE, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CALHOUN, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in DUVAL, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GOLIAD, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in JIM WELLS, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in KLEBERG, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LA SALLE, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LIVE OAK, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MCMULLEN, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in NUECES, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in REFUGIO, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SAN PATRICIO, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in VICTORIA, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in WEBB, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in ARANSAS, TEXAS
From 01-DEC-11 00:00:00 to 31-DEC-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Other Federal Agency