Overall drought conditions were reduced through the month of May. A few small areas of exceptional (D4) drought existed over the central South Plains and Rolling Plains with values ranging from moderate (D1) to extreme (D3) elsewhere. By the end of the month, Hall County was included in D1 conditions along with Childress County. Temperatures were generally above normal with more mixed results regarding precipitation.
The first half of the month began wet and cool but this quickly changed during the second half of the month. Several maximum temperature records were set toward the end of the month. May ended above normal in terms of temperatures but was not as extreme as observed temperatures in April. Lubbock and Childress were 3.4 and 5.3 degrees above normal compared to average temperatures, respectively. Beneficial rainfall early in the month increased the likelihood of a weakening drought but widespread rainfall was not observed during the second half of the month. Rainfall was generally scattered over the entire South Plains and Rolling Plains and most areas remained below normal for precipitation amounts. Some selected totals include 3.23 at Denver City, 3.20 at Dimmitt, 2.94 at Childress, 1.36 at Lubbock, and 0.56 at Abernathy. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values were highest over the southeast panhandle at 600 to 700. The lowest values were observed over the southern Rolling Plains and ranged from 300-400. Elsewhere values ranged from 400 to 600.
The drought continued to ease, meteorologically, but rainfall was still needed for water supply and agriculture needs. Additional rainfall was needed to deepen the soil moisture for farmers with irrigation not sufficient enough to provide all of the water needs for crops. Winter wheat had all been harvested early with generally low yields. Several days of high based thunderstorms with little rain but strong winds led to several small grass fires near the end of the month.
Economic losses due to drought through May since the drought began were estimated near $2.4 billion.

Drought in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in KING, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency