A cool front and upper level disturbance crossing the Deep South Texas Brush Country on May 12th brought significant local rainfall to Brooks, Jim Hogg, and Kenedy County, temporarily relieving the extreme to exceptional drought.  Additional very localized rains on May 15th, and again on May 20th, helped on several ranches.  Across the Lower Rio Grande Valley, where the heavy rains faded to sprinkles or light showers, conditions intensified to exceptional, which would continue into June.

Drought in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 17-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought conditions intensified across Cameron County the middle of May as locally heavy rainfall that accompanied a cooling front on May 12th, and the returning warm front on May 15th, left only sprinkles and a few light showers. Exceptional D4 drought conditions spread across the western and southern two thirds of Cameron County by the 17th. Extreme D3 drought conditions continued across the northern and northeastern one third of Cameron County. Both conditions continued across Cameron County through the end of the month.
Dryland crops began to wither under the lack of rainfall as May turned to June.  Related damage to crops and livestock will be provided in the June Storm Data report under Crop Damage.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 17-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought conditions improved slightly across eastern Jim Hogg County as a few showers and isolated thunderstorms moved across the county the middle of May.
Exceptional D4 drought conditions remained across the western and south central half of the county but conditions improved to extreme D3 drought conditions across the eastern and north central half of Jim Hogg County.
Livestock began to feel the effects of the drought by month's end, as feed supplies, particularly hay, corn, and sorghum, withered in the dry heat.  Details on livestock and grain impacts will be provided in the June Storm Data report under Crop Damage.

Drought in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 17-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought conditions would fluctuate in Brooks County after May 17th, courtesy of several rainfall events.  Widespread, locally heavy rains fell on the 12th ahead of a cool front.  Scattered showers and thunderstorms developed on the 15th as a the front retreated northward and a weak disturbance moved along it.  Finally, intense heating and increased humidity combined with an enhanced sea breeze on the 20th to produce locally torrential rains and hail which stretched from the southwest ranchlands northeast into Falfurrias.
The rains knocked conditions back to Extreme (D3) with a pocket of Severe (D2) around Falfurrias from the 17th to 30th; Extreme conditions would retreat to the western quarter of the county on the 31st with Severe conditions covering the remainder of the county.
The rains temporarily slowed crop and livestock stress, which had increased rapidly through April and mid May.  Unfortunately, dry and very hot conditions returned for much of June, increasing stress on agriculture.  Any damage information will be provided in the June Storm Data report under Crop Damage.

Drought in COASTAL CAMERON, TEXAS
From 17-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought conditions intensified across Coastal Cameron County by the middle of May, and would continue through month's end. Locally heavy rains which impacted the Brush Country and King Ranch dwindled to only a sprinkle for the Lower Texas coast.  Exceptional D4 drought conditions spread across the southern half of Coastal Cameron County the middle of May. Extreme D3 drought conditions continued across the northern half of Coastal Cameron County. These conditions continued through the end of the month.